Rear axle won’t fully seat on drivers side

[VondutchJR]

I have an 8 3/4 inch rear end and when I went to take the ridiculous amount of endplay, probably a 1/16 an inch on both sides, out of the axles the drivers side simply will not hold itself in place.

I had attempted to reseat both and remove end play but the drivers side axle hangs out, for the most part the wheel bearing is out of the picture, but the axle seems to ride on the outer race of the bearing.
When I push on the axle the wheel bearing guides it into place and it seems to be just fine but upon removing pressure the axles slips back out, this is also the case when everything is bolted up too.

 

[SIPLOWGUY]

I'm more familiar with the "C clip" axles, but once the new bearing is pressed on and the nuts are on the retainer it should not come out.

 

[PH27L7]

If the bearings were replaced & the collar was not pressed on all the way, it will do that. The press must be cranked down fully until it is stopped and there is no more movement.

 

[Fury1969WI]

what year 8.75? Tapered bearings or rollers ("Green" Manufacturing)?

 

[Fury1969WI]

I'm more familiar with the "C clip" axles, but once the new bearing is pressed on and the nuts are on the retainer it should not come out.

View attachment 752606

See Inset in this picture - there should be an adjuster on the passenger side. I see you are a new member, if you haven't already, it's a good idea to go an download the Factory Service Manual (FSM) for your year/model. They are free at; Service Manuals – MyMopar

 

[Fury1969WI]

Also, if you are using the tapered ("Timken") bearings and do not have the spacer/thrust block between the axles you will not be able to adjust those/put tension on the adjuster.

 

[Davea Lux]

You might also want to check to be sure the machine shop did not put the driver side mounting flange on backwards. The flange is offset so it will not seat unless properly installed.

Dave

 

[john-9]

i see this a lot ,, make sure your inner axle housing seals are seated all the way into the stop ,, the inner seal when fully seated should be 1.675-1.700 inches in from the face of the seal to face of the housing flange ( add about 1/8 inch for the backing plate ) if they are not fully seated the axle bearing retainer collar will butt up against the seal face and will ruin the seal if you run it that way when you tighten the retainer flange..

 

[VondutchJR]

what year 8.75? Tapered bearings or rollers ("Green" Manufacturing)?

I run factory tapered bearings

 

[VondutchJR]

You might also want to check to be sure the machine shop did not put the driver side mounting flange on backwards. The flange is offset so it will not seat unless properly installed.

Dave

I do not believe that the flanges are backwards, I have a spare set of rear axle shafts that came with the car and upon switching out driver and passenger side there was no discernible differences between either side. I have not replaced my bearings yet as I personally do not have the capability to press them in, however I do not believe it is the bearings because two separate axles are in countering the same issue.

Also as a point of note, the vehicle was “lightly” impacted in the drivers side rear quarter panel. This has caused a sort of wobble in everything attached to the axles, which could be that the rear end was damaged but I have no way of checking

 

[PH27L7]

Nothing should be wobbling, perhaps you bent a wheel? Sheet metal damage should have no affect on the axle. A hard hit on the axle could wreak havoc & even mess up the housing.

If everything you say is good then there's only one possibility left. You must have a sure-grip carrier (aka limited slip). There are thrust spacers on each side that the end of the axles ride on. They are attached with a spring pin that goes through the spider gear cross. If one came off when the axles were removed you will never be able to get proper end play with the threaded adjuster. Based on your symptoms it's the left one. You might be able to see if it's there by looking into the housing with a small flashlight, removing the inner seal should help. A borescope would work for sure if you have that. If it's not attached it might be sitting in the axle tube or at the bottom of the pumpkin. If it's in the axle tube you should be able to retrieve it with a magnet. If its somewhere in the pumpkin you'll have to remove the center section. There may be a way to install it without removing the center section, that would be a challenge. If it's missing, I'd just pull the center section. You cannot run the car with big end play, the bearings / seals will be destroyed almost immediately.