Rear axle thrust

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Feb 17, 2007 | 06:13 PM

whooboy

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Mountain Pass

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 162

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From: Las Cruces, NM

Rear axle thrust

Does anyone have an idea as to what the rear axle thrust is supposed to be? I have a '98 4x4. I changed the rear brake pads yesterday and noticed that I have quite a bit of thrust on both axles. I'd say greater than 1/8 inch. Is this normal? No noise, no leaks.

Thanks

Feb 18, 2007 | 08:26 AM

steve(ill)

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Joined: Jul 2005

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i believe the explorer is the old sytle alxe. has straight roller bearings on the outside and pushes into splines in the bevel gear set. there is a retaining c-clip that holds the axle into the bevel gear set. moving back and forth up to 1/8 inch wuold not be uncommon.

Feb 18, 2007 | 09:58 AM

Flash635

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Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 358

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From: Brisbane Australia

Steve (ill) is right.

My right axle moves a bit more than 1/8th inch and sometimes the flange scrapes on the brake backing plate.

Very annoying and I can't see how to stop it.

Last edited by Flash635; Feb 18, 2007 at 10:06 AM.

Mar 19, 2007 | 08:53 AM

vaquero32

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Joined: May 2005

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there is every possibility that your axle's gears inside are cut a slight bit deeper than others.

Mar 19, 2007 | 11:51 AM

mrshorty

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Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 3,742

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From: UT

If Flash635 is still monitoring this, it seems like I have heard of rare cases where those aforementioned C-clips wear a little and become too thin, which could allow the axleshaft to have excessive play. If there are no problems at the outer end of the axleshaft, it might be worth the effort to open the differential, take the crosspin out, and inspect the C-clips.