The Ford Barn

modela4shane · 04-08-2018, 09:03 PM

Can anyone tell me what controls the axle end play in the model A differential? I have excessive play on both axle and the drums rub on the backing plates. What needs to be replaced or fixed or is this problem adjustable when rebuilding the rear end?
Thank you in advance.

Chuck Sea/Tac · 04-08-2018, 10:53 PM

To start, is the axle nut tightened to 100 foot lbs?

daveymc29 · 04-08-2018, 11:03 PM

I have two cone spacers on one of my coupes. That sets the wheel outboard enough to make up for some wear so that the baking plate is free of the drum. My roadster has hydraulics and back when I owned a brake lathe I turned the backing plates and took an eighth off the side toward the drum. Do not need the cone shims on that one. My other coupe gets by with one cone on each side. When I rebuild the differentials, if I ever do again, I will fix the problem, but the cones work swell and have never had one fail. JMHO

Jacksonlll · 04-09-2018, 06:55 AM

Are you talking about actual end play, in and out, or just the up and down movement that is normal?

Keith True · 04-09-2018, 07:12 AM

The actual end play is fixed,not really adjustable unless you get creative with machining shims and such.The back side of the axle gear rides on a machined surface on the inside of the carrier assembly,and the axle gear rides on the spider gears.Plus,there are little pads on the axle and spider gear shaft to hold it all in place.Nothing on the outboard has anything to do with end play.If the carrier bearings are loose the whole thing will slide back and forth,but that is not end play.It will give the same effect,or problems though.

Dave in MN · 04-09-2018, 08:34 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

If the inside surface of the axle is worn, you may have excessive end play. It is a bit rare for this condition to exist but I had it on my 1928 Pickup. At one time, my pickup was likely used to power a stationary piece of equipment by blocking up one side of the rear axle and attaching a pulley or other device to the wheel or hub to transmit power. One of the axles was severely worn along with the spider gears and the actual carrier. I had a bit over 1/8" end play on the passenger axle.
So you may need to find replacement axles, spider gears and carrier as I did.
Good Day

04-08-2018, 09:03 PM	#1
modela4shane Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 165	Axle End Play, Thrust? Can anyone tell me what controls the axle end play in the model A differential? I have excessive play on both axle and the drums rub on the backing plates. What needs to be replaced or fixed or is this problem adjustable when rebuilding the rear end? Thank you in advance.

04-08-2018, 10:53 PM	#2
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,354	Re: Axle End Play, Thrust? To start, is the axle nut tightened to 100 foot lbs?

04-08-2018, 11:03 PM	#3
daveymc29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 1,553	Re: Axle End Play, Thrust? I have two cone spacers on one of my coupes. That sets the wheel outboard enough to make up for some wear so that the baking plate is free of the drum. My roadster has hydraulics and back when I owned a brake lathe I turned the backing plates and took an eighth off the side toward the drum. Do not need the cone shims on that one. My other coupe gets by with one cone on each side. When I rebuild the differentials, if I ever do again, I will fix the problem, but the cones work swell and have never had one fail. JMHO

04-09-2018, 06:55 AM	#4
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Axle End Play, Thrust? Are you talking about actual end play, in and out, or just the up and down movement that is normal?

04-09-2018, 07:12 AM	#5
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 2,978	Re: Axle End Play, Thrust? The actual end play is fixed,not really adjustable unless you get creative with machining shims and such.The back side of the axle gear rides on a machined surface on the inside of the carrier assembly,and the axle gear rides on the spider gears.Plus,there are little pads on the axle and spider gear shaft to hold it all in place.Nothing on the outboard has anything to do with end play.If the carrier bearings are loose the whole thing will slide back and forth,but that is not end play.It will give the same effect,or problems though.

04-09-2018, 08:34 AM	#6
Dave in MN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Jordan, MN Posts: 1,411	Re: Axle End Play, Thrust? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If the inside surface of the axle is worn, you may have excessive end play. It is a bit rare for this condition to exist but I had it on my 1928 Pickup. At one time, my pickup was likely used to power a stationary piece of equipment by blocking up one side of the rear axle and attaching a pulley or other device to the wheel or hub to transmit power. One of the axles was severely worn along with the spider gears and the actual carrier. I had a bit over 1/8" end play on the passenger axle. So you may need to find replacement axles, spider gears and carrier as I did. Good Day

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