GEM '62

I just finished installing my rebuilt differential and have installed new wheel bearings. The bearing (RW607NR) width is 1" and the depth of the axle casting is 1.070" on the right and 1.100" on the left. There are 3" O.D. spacers between the bearing and the back of the casting recess that make up the .070" and .100" difference between the casting depth and the bearing width. I have never seen these spacers before and don't see any reference to them in a manual. Just checking to see if these spacers are standard parts.

DZAUTO

Yes, the spacers are standard parts. BUUUUUUUUUUT, over the years, I have never been able to obtain a definitive answer as to which year model rears got them, nor just what the thickness should be.

GEM '62

Okie Dokie, back in they go.
I can tell you they are in a late run 62 and are .095" thick.

DZAUTO

Yes, I have seen them in SOME cars. As I said, I don't know which cars got them and which did not. BUT, as best as I've been able to determine, they were only used on (SOME) 58-62 cars.

GEM '62

If it's only on some cars.there must have been some kind of screw-up in the bearing depth on some castings that they fixed with a spacer. Easier to add the spacer than to come up with a different width bearing.

TCracingCA

Are we talking the outer axle shims? If so, I have not seen any stock axle housing that didn't need them to minimize runout. Someone like Toms differential sells differing sizes and I think I have a variety pack from one of the Corvette parts suppliers. If I got off on the wrong shims, just ignore me!

DZAUTO

The spacers we are referring to were used on 58-62 axles. BEFORE the axle shaft is stuck into the axle housing, SOME cars had a spacer (about .095-.100in thick) slipped over the axle shaft and it fit between the end of the axle housing and the axle bearing.
I have only seen the referenced spacers on Corvettes and never on 59-64 pass car axles.

GEM '62

Okay, here's what I have going. The right side had a 1" wide bearing and a .100" thick spacer. The depth of the bearing housing in the casting is 1.100" deep. I replaced the bearing and spacer and everything works perfect. The left side had a bearing around 7/8" thick, (I don't have it to measure) and the same size, .100" spacer. The depth of the bearing housing is 1.065" deep. When I install the 1" bearing and the spacer, the axle retainer plate will not bolt up tight to the axle housing. If I install the bearing without the spacer, everything bolts up tight but I have .030" end play in the axle.
I have spoke to one vendor who does rebuilds, does not have any spacer, says he has never seen them in a 62 and says not to worry about the .030" play. A second vendor say's that the spacers only come in .125" thick. A third guy that restores cars says to forget the spacer and don't worry about the .030" end play.

So, what's the consensus on the forum? As I see it, I have several choices.
1. Don't worry about the end play.
2. Find a .065 spacer or cut down the one I have to .065"
3. Install the .100" spacer and use a thick gasket on the axle retainer.
4. ??

Also,is the outer race on the bearing supposed to be captured between the spacer and the axle retainer to insure that it doesn't spin in the housing?

MrPbody

16G sheet steel is .0598 thick. fire up the plazma cutter. it doesn't have to be dead perfect ID or OD. that only leaves .007 axle end play, which I's say is fine, but the .065 would be a bit too much for my liking also.

Russ