Diff Bearing Shim

[johnd]

I was preparing to install this replacement differential in my SII when I noticed that what appears to be a mis-centered bearing shim. This is the bearing that fits into the front of the diff housing. Is this normal or is it a concern? Photo attached. Thanks.

 

[jumpinjan]

That looks like the roller bearing cage. The shims shouldn't be seen.
Jan

 

[johnd]

Dang - I was afraid that it was something like that. I suppose it can't or should not be used in that condition.

 

[johnd]

I really should have asked - is it normal for the bearing cage to look like that?

 

[oLD lIMEY]

Dosent look that far out, rotate the pinion and watch it. It's supposed to be loose.

 

[Tom H]

John, comparing your 2 dimension photo with drawings in the WSM, it looks to me that this is a normal appearance. As Old Limey suggested, I think you need to rotate the pinion and watch. I assume you will see each the rollers and the cage rotate with the pinion. But you will not see the exact same picture at each tooth position because the number of teeth do not match the number of rollers. Between each pinion tooth you will see some part of the bearing assembly and it will rotate smoothly.

Tom

 

[johnd]

Thanks Tom

 

[Mike O'D]

John,

I just happen to be working on my diff. right now (well, at home, I'm at work). I'll take a look when I get home. Question for you: If you move either gear back and forth, how much play is there between the two. Mine seems a bit excessive to me, but I have nothing to base it on.

Anyone else with information too, please chime in.

Thanks.

Mike

 

[George Coleman]

Call Doug Jennings at Tiger Auto in Dayton OH he can help.

 

[Mike O'D]

Update: I checked the ring gear bolts on my diff - all 8 were loose. Odometer had 55k on it, doesn't look like it had ever been opened. I don't know if it made any noise, as car was partially disassembled when I got it. Lock washers were in place and wouldn't allow the bolts to come out, but with essentially no force with an open end wrench, I could move all of them. Bolt shanks show minor witness marks from the gear moving back and forth.

Mike

 

[Barry]

John,

I just happen to be working on my diff. right now (well, at home, I'm at work). I'll take a look when I get home. Question for you: If you move either gear back and forth, how much play is there between the two. Mine seems a bit excessive to me, but I have nothing to base it on.

Anyone else with information too, please chime in.

Thanks.

Mike

Covered in the Workshop Manual here: http://www.sunbeamalpine.org/downloads/WSM 124 SI-SIV Manual/10 Rear Axle (G).pdf

Assuming everything else is correct, the backlash spec is 0.005 - 0.009".

 

[Mike O'D]

Thanks Barry, I guess I didn't read far enough into the manual.

Mike