Rotational Pinion play
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Trailering
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Rotational Pinion play
1983 Ford F150 4x4 Dana 44
when checking backlash in my front differential I’ve noticed that the pinion gear is spinning freely before catching and creating backlash.
Is this play suppose to be there?
I was thinking the pinion gear was warm and just has a little play does this seem like it could hold water?
I also know that when I put the truck in reverse and only in reverse it will make a clunk noise. I’m pretty sure it’s not a u joint problem or a rear differential problem.
when checking backlash in my front differential I’ve noticed that the pinion gear is spinning freely before catching and creating backlash.
Is this play suppose to be there?
I was thinking the pinion gear was warm and just has a little play does this seem like it could hold water?
I also know that when I put the truck in reverse and only in reverse it will make a clunk noise. I’m pretty sure it’s not a u joint problem or a rear differential problem.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Angier, NC
Are you talking the front axle or the rear axle?
Maybe both?
I ask because I think the Dana 44 is a front axle and your rear I think a 9".
You also did not tell us how much play either one has and we cant guess from couches.
You will most likely have more back lash in the front axle as it will take a fine touch to feel the play between the pinion & ring gears before the axle shafts start to turn and take up play in the hubs and why more play.
The rear should have less but again we dont know how much back lash you have.
You can look up what back lash should be in the factory service manual.
Dave ----
Maybe both?
I ask because I think the Dana 44 is a front axle and your rear I think a 9".
You also did not tell us how much play either one has and we cant guess from couches.
You will most likely have more back lash in the front axle as it will take a fine touch to feel the play between the pinion & ring gears before the axle shafts start to turn and take up play in the hubs and why more play.
The rear should have less but again we dont know how much back lash you have.
You can look up what back lash should be in the factory service manual.
Dave ----
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Once again, I must disagree with your statement. I am fully able to guess from my couch.
Now had you said “we can’t guess accurately from couches” I would be in full agreement with you. But as written? Sorry, no.
Now had you said “we can’t guess accurately from couches” I would be in full agreement with you. But as written? Sorry, no.
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Trailering
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Are you talking the front axle or the rear axle?
Maybe both?
I ask because I think the Dana 44 is a front axle and your rear I think a 9".
You also did not tell us how much play either one has and we cant guess from couches.
You will most likely have more back lash in the front axle as it will take a fine touch to feel the play between the pinion & ring gears before the axle shafts start to turn and take up play in the hubs and why more play.
The rear should have less but again we dont know how much back lash you have.
You can look up what back lash should be in the factory service manual.
Dave ----
Maybe both?
I ask because I think the Dana 44 is a front axle and your rear I think a 9".
You also did not tell us how much play either one has and we cant guess from couches.
You will most likely have more back lash in the front axle as it will take a fine touch to feel the play between the pinion & ring gears before the axle shafts start to turn and take up play in the hubs and why more play.
The rear should have less but again we dont know how much back lash you have.
You can look up what back lash should be in the factory service manual.
Dave ----
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,912
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From: Angier, NC
Dave ----
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,912
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
When you said when putting it in revirse it banged happens more for the rear not the front and why I asked.
Again you need to see if the play is the R&P or a combo of R&P and the hubs.
But in either case I dont think I would worry all that much with the front if the Ujoints, drive shaft & axles, are all good as you are not using the front in 4x4 mode all that much and even less forward and back to move.
I had a full size SUV 4x4 that I did a gear swap, dont remember why now but the front pinion nut could not go to tight and when in 4x4 mode on the high way you could feel it vibrate. I have driven it from L.I. to CT in a blinding snow storm and from CT to VT pulling a trailer with 4 snow moblies again blinding snow storm in 4x4 and a bunch in CT so its not like it was never in 4x4 on the high way.
I can tell you I never had any problems with it. BTW the gear swap was at 12K when the posi unit let go and I sold the truck with 238K
Dave ----
Again you need to see if the play is the R&P or a combo of R&P and the hubs.
But in either case I dont think I would worry all that much with the front if the Ujoints, drive shaft & axles, are all good as you are not using the front in 4x4 mode all that much and even less forward and back to move.
I had a full size SUV 4x4 that I did a gear swap, dont remember why now but the front pinion nut could not go to tight and when in 4x4 mode on the high way you could feel it vibrate. I have driven it from L.I. to CT in a blinding snow storm and from CT to VT pulling a trailer with 4 snow moblies again blinding snow storm in 4x4 and a bunch in CT so its not like it was never in 4x4 on the high way.
I can tell you I never had any problems with it. BTW the gear swap was at 12K when the posi unit let go and I sold the truck with 238K
Dave ----
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,667
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From: Tolland, CT
You said, "I also know that when I put the truck in reverse and only in reverse it will make a clunk noise. I’m pretty sure it’s not a u joint problem or a rear differential problem."
I'm old school, Anytime a car I had made that clunk noise when putting in reverse, it was a bad U joint.
How/why are you "pretty sure" it's not a bad U joint ?
"does this seem like it could hold water?"
Also, I'm no expert, but I don't think these parts will do well holding water. LOL
I'm old school, Anytime a car I had made that clunk noise when putting in reverse, it was a bad U joint.
How/why are you "pretty sure" it's not a bad U joint ?
"does this seem like it could hold water?"
Also, I'm no expert, but I don't think these parts will do well holding water. LOL
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FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,912
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
You said, "I also know that when I put the truck in reverse and only in reverse it will make a clunk noise. I’m pretty sure it’s not a u joint problem or a rear differential problem."
I'm old school, Anytime a car I had made that clunk noise when putting in reverse, it was a bad U joint.
How/why are you "pretty sure" it's not a bad U joint ?
"does this seem like it could hold water?"
Also, I'm no expert, but I don't think these parts will do well holding water. LOL
I'm old school, Anytime a car I had made that clunk noise when putting in reverse, it was a bad U joint.
How/why are you "pretty sure" it's not a bad U joint ?
"does this seem like it could hold water?"
Also, I'm no expert, but I don't think these parts will do well holding water. LOL
Time to get under and check ALL of them.
Dont forget the front axle joints at the wheels
Dave ----
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Trailering
Joined: May 2023
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Resolved
thanks for all the advice
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From: Virginia
When turning the driveshaft, look at the pass side axle. It has a splined joint in the axle and if it hasn't had any grease in while, they will wear and cause a lot of play. And when the going gets tough they will skip over the splines.
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