I’m going through the rear end on a friend’s 67 and we’re trying to keep it as original as possible while giving it a thorough rebuild.
All the major parts look good except for maybe the stub axles and I’d like to get some guidance from the experts here on how risky it might be to reuse them. As you can see in the photos, there’s a definite wear pattern on each axle end and matching patterns on the cross shaft, but they don’t seem deeper than I recall seeing on others with under 100k miles. Also, one axle had kicked out and the snap ring was in the bottom of the diff, but there’s no visible damage in the area of the snap ring groove. The owner has no idea how/when this occurred so it may have happened before he bought the car in the late 70s.
So I have 2 questions:
1. Assuming the end play is 1/16” (.062) or better, would it be ok to keep using these axles and cross shaft if I make sure the axles and shaft go back in the way they were?
2. Should I be worried about the axle that had lost the snap ring, as long as there’s no visible damage to the axle?

BTW, I’m planning to replace all bearings and seals and I’m planning to adjust the side shims to tighten up the backlash which is currently at .016”.

I welcome any and all advice from @GTR1999 and any others who have been here before!

thanks
Bill




Cross shaft showing wear pattern from one axle.

Cross shaft showing wear pattern from the other axle.

 

Since it is apart, do it right and have a proper rebuild performed. This is no place to try and save some $$.

If that snap ring popped off once, it'll come off again and maybe get wedged in a gear this time.

Those stub axle ends are hardened, I don't recall to what depth, but once that area is worn, the wearing accelerates and next thing you know that 0.16" play is now 0.100..........

 

thoyer, Thanks for the advice! And good point about the snap ring maybe coming off again. I wonder if just replacing the stub axles and snap rings is enough to ensure it won't happen again, or should I replace the spider gears since the snap ring contacts them, as well?

 

Mine were in better shape than that and I replaced them. I couldn't imagine putting those parts back in with all the work it takes to get to them.