86 bj70 rear diff play (1 Viewer)

[bj70bc]

Just under my truck and noticed, when checking the rear driveshaft u joints, that the rear diff has what seems to me to be an excessive amount of slop/play.
What is a normal amount of rotational play in the diff, rotating the driveshaft one way then the other?
Can this be tighten up by torquing down the staked nut?
I had it rebuilt with detroit eaton lockers a while back and wonder if the crush sleeve has loosened off or wasnt setup right?
Its not going back to the guy who did it regardless so I'd like to take care of it if this is as issue.

 

[bj70bc]

thoughts?

 

[RHINO]

sounds normal,,,, thinking about 12:00,,, play running from 11:00 to 1:00 would be about average. check the front, should be the same.

 

[bj70bc]

yes, sounds about like what it is, ill have to check the front

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

Torquing the flange nut has no impact whatsoever on the slop you are reporting - it would just increase the pinion bearing pre-load (presumably beyond specs if it's currently correctly set). It's the backlash in the gear set which translates to slop on the flange and the only way to check that is to remove the diff and check with a dial indicator.

If there is no noise coming from the diff in drive or coast, no oil leaks and no slapping when taking off, I would leave it alone.

 

[bj70bc]

Yes, seems to be the consensus, thanks