Rear end slop?

[Smokey 01]

I was under my truck today and I noticed a lot of slop in the rear end. It moves about 20 degrees back and forth and you can feel it when you let off of the throttle. Do I need to get this fixed immediately or will it run for awhile? The rear end has 4. 10 gears and a limited slip.

Thanks for any help.

 

[ARhine]

There is a thread on rebuilding the LS rear on here somewhere. Might try the search.

Could be either that or it has spun a carrier bearing and spit some shims out.



I would fix, or at least pull the cover and look it over before abusing it to much.

 

[MMiller]

I would pull the cover and check the backlash. Also pry the carrier side to side to make sure there is no play right to left.



These dana 70's need to have the back lash reset, especially if the truck is running higher power, or towing heavy. I ruined a pinion a couple years ago and I believe the back lash was excessive.



Michael

 

[Smokey 01]

I pulled the cover this morning and got a good look at everything. There is very little slop side to side and very little slop between the ring and pinion. Most of the slop is within the limited slip. I still need to drive the truck to work so I'll just go easy until I get time to go through it. Also has anyone seen a rear end worn like this?

Thanks again

Also I forgot to mention there was no metal in the oil.

 

[Nate]

Should be zero movement side to side.

 

[ARhine]

yes, if there is any side to side movement of the carrier stop driving it would be my recomendation. The damage may already be done to the housing but you might wreck a ring gear or pinion if you keep going.



The carrier is installed with a preload pressing it tight, if it has slop the bearing cups have either ate into the housing or it has spit some shims out.



Did some more diging on that thread and I think it was by the user Wannadiesel on the DTR boards that had a good writup on rebuilding the D70 LS.

 

[Greenleaf]

We have our own rebuild tip post by 1stgen4ever. Look for it. It has some real good stuff the guys have included. I like the fact that there are three methods that can be used to perform the same task. Check it out. I have it book marked if'n U can't find it.



Scott

 

[Smokey 01]

OK I now know that my rear end is unhealthy and needs work asap, but it makes no noise or vibration, does not run hot and it is not leaving any metal in the oil. I also know that I need this truck to get to work so I will drive it as is for now until I get time and parts to fix it. I also have questions for those of you who have run these a "little" too long. What kind of damage is done to the housing and how did you repair it? I am not too afraid of damaging the ring and pinion as they are not an overly expensive part and 3. 55 gears would be better anyway. I appreciate everyone's input and realize I am taking a risk by continuing to run this differential.

Thanks again

 

[SRadke]

The housing can be damaged beyond repair if you let it go too long. Worse yet, it may already be.



-Scott

 

[cerberusiam]

Yes, you are taking a big risk. Both to the rear end and life and limb. That much slop in the LS and you may have some major wear on the pin that holds the pinion gears in. That pins comes out at speed and things will get real interesting real fast for you and anyone around you.



The D70's do not like much back lash and will not live long once they are out of spec. Once you spin the carrier bearings in the housing its done and time for new housing.



The parts are easy but expensive to replace. Lives and assorted limbs are a bit more difficult. PLEASE, PLEASE be very careful and take a hard look at it again.

 

[Smokey 01]

Because of everyone's input I pulled the cover back off today. I found the following. there is still a bushing between the carrier and the housing and the pin in the limited slip is still tight. The slop seems to occur inside the discs of the limited slip. Looking at the carrier bolts very closely it appears this rear end may have been gone through before and was possibly done incorrectly. Again thanks for everyone's input.

 

[Paychk]

The D70's do not like much back lash and will not live long once they are out of spec. Once you spin the carrier bearings in the housing its done and time for new housing.

Quad 4X4 has a tool to resurface the bores in Dana housings. I haven't used it; but it may save someone a little money.



http://www.quad4x4.com/Dana Axle Component Failures.htm

 

[Smokey 01]

I have a master install kit ordered which has new bearings, shims, ect. I plan to install it next week.

Thanks for everyone's input.

I got it put back together and it went fairly well. No damage was done to anything and the ring and pinion put down a good pattern.

Thanks again to everyone.