How do I determine if my pinion bearings have too much play.

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Joined
Sep 16, 2008
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Location
Freensville
Website
www.poolpartydeathmachine.com
The Mule's sprung a leak in the rear diff, nothing serious, no pooling, no puddles, just a moistness of gear oil originating from the pinion area.

While driving, I feel not funny vibes, no funky sounds, no popping of dead bearings, all's quiet on my six. I pulled the breather just now, blasted it with compressed air(a little grit blew out, but it blows clear now), topped off the fluid, and checked around, and I want to see if I have excessive play in the pinion, or if I can just do the "wrong" pinion seal replacement.

The unit does not rock at all up or down, or in and out.
A little sway from side-to-side with the parking brake set, no additional movement beyond this with the tranny and t-case in neutral. The movement is minimal, as if the assembly just want to spin free, but is limited by the axle: a few milimeters of movement left, a few to the right, tracking perfectly along, no slop.

What, diagnostically, should I be looking for? Which directions should a bearing move to classify it as "play".
 
If you push up or down on it and it moves, or push in and out then that is play. If it turns a little, that is the gear backlash, and is normal, and there should be some. It sounds like you're in ok shape. :cheers:
Alright, thanks for the info Jerod!:cheers:
 
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