Rear wheel play
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 55
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From: Rochester New York
Rear wheel play
Hello. With the rear of my 1980 on stands I placed a jack under the end of the leaf spring and jacked it up to about normal height, then checked wheelplay on each side. Nothing at 3 & 9 o'clock, but on the passenger side at 12 & 6 over 1/4 play (I didn't measure it exact but 1/4 to 3/8 is close). Next, I went under the car and had my son perform the 12 - 6 check again. All of the movement was at the yoke where it attaches to the diff. No movement at the wheel. Does this seem right, or is it a sign of a worn yoke? I do get a "wobble" sound when the car is moving without acceleration (letting off the gas or just coasting) from the rear. Could these be connected? How can I check? Thanks! JG700
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Fremont,CA
Hello. With the rear of my 1980 on stands I placed a jack under the end of the leaf spring and jacked it up to about normal height, then checked wheelplay on each side. Nothing at 3 & 9 o'clock, but on the passenger side at 12 & 6 over 1/4 play (I didn't measure it exact but 1/4 to 3/8 is close). Next, I went under the car and had my son perform the 12 - 6 check again. All of the movement was at the yoke where it attaches to the diff. No movement at the wheel. Does this seem right, or is it a sign of a worn yoke? I do get a "wobble" sound when the car is moving without acceleration (letting off the gas or just coasting) from the rear. Could these be connected? How can I check? Thanks! JG700
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 0
From: Chico Ca
I like my rear wheel play but there is usually smoke coming off the tires
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V-N7HmXn1M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V-N7HmXn1M
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 166
Likes: 4
From: Marysville PA
Hi JG700
I have a 1980 with the same issue as you. My yokes were worn inside the differential. It had 33,000 miles at that time. Also the differential was leaking, rear wheel bearings had not been regreased since it left the factory, many bushings were worn out. So this past winter I removed the entire rear suspension for rebuild. Sent differential, trailing arms, strut rods, drive shaft and half shafts to Bears for rebuild. They put hardened ends on my yokes which were re-usable. Rear spindles were in great condition for rebuild. Very nice people to deal with. Take care of little problems before they become big problems.
71270hp
Mark
I have a 1980 with the same issue as you. My yokes were worn inside the differential. It had 33,000 miles at that time. Also the differential was leaking, rear wheel bearings had not been regreased since it left the factory, many bushings were worn out. So this past winter I removed the entire rear suspension for rebuild. Sent differential, trailing arms, strut rods, drive shaft and half shafts to Bears for rebuild. They put hardened ends on my yokes which were re-usable. Rear spindles were in great condition for rebuild. Very nice people to deal with. Take care of little problems before they become big problems.
71270hp
Mark
Last edited by 71270hp; Aug 17, 2007 at 09:57 PM. Reason: Miss spelling
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
All of the movement was at the yoke where it attaches to the diff. No movement at the wheel.
I've never seen any published specs on end play of a side yoke but it probably should be at most a few thousdanths.
