Final Drive Stub Axle Play

M

mark sawyer

New member
Aug 20, 2015
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So I was under my coach this morning, and I noticed that when pushing on the driver's side inner axle stub where it goes into the final drive, there
was a good amt of play when pushing up and down.... I'd say it's a good 1/8" of movement.... I know some play in axle stubs is normal, but what would
be the limit where I should start to worry? FWIW, the seal axle seal is tight.... I would assume with excess play the seal would wear rapidly and I
would see some diff fluid leaking out.... Also, I don't notice any noise or anything coming from the drivetrain... The previous owner told be the
coach has the 3.42 final drive, I believe from Cinnabar, so I don't believe it is original, either.

We're thinking about taking a long trip this weekend, so of course I'm a little worried that this may be something to be concerned about.
--
Mark S. '73 Painted Desert,
Manny 1 Ton Front End,
Howell Injection,
Leigh Harrison 4bag and Rear Brakes,
Fort Worth, TX
 
I have heard the same as normal on the slop. When Cinnabar installed my 3.42 I asked about breakin period. Mechanic said “you can’t hurt these
things”. If that is any consolation. I did find lose bolts on the support bearing bracket so I do check those when under there.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
 
Two years ago returning from Texas to Atlanta, getting off I-20 E we lost the stub axel end that fits into the final drive. The splines gave up the ghost where they mate to the final drive. Caused a horrendous grinding noise, no movement and drifting when brakes where released. 3.70 LS FD innards toast.
If there’s a way, check stub axel spline fitting to FD, I’d do it.

George Zhookoff
78 EL II
Atlanta

>
> So I was under my coach this morning, and I noticed that when pushing on the driver's side inner axle stub where it goes into the final drive, there
> was a good amt of play when pushing up and down.... I'd say it's a good 1/8" of movement.... I know some play in axle stubs is normal, but what would
> be the limit where I should start to worry? FWIW, the seal axle seal is tight.... I would assume with excess play the seal would wear rapidly and I
> would see some diff fluid leaking out.... Also, I don't notice any noise or anything coming from the drivetrain... The previous owner told be the
> coach has the 3.42 final drive, I believe from Cinnabar, so I don't believe it is original, either.
>
> We're thinking about taking a long trip this weekend, so of course I'm a little worried that this may be something to be concerned about.
> --
> Mark S. '73 Painted Desert,
> Manny 1 Ton Front End,
> Howell Injection,
> Leigh Harrison 4bag and Rear Brakes,
> Fort Worth, TX
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Fantastic... That's great to hear... Thanks John. Nothing like having a big question mark on your's coach's condition when you are about to leave
for a trip...
--
Mark S. '73 Painted Desert,
Manny 1 Ton Front End,
Howell Injection,
Leigh Harrison 4bag and Rear Brakes,
Fort Worth, TX
 
> Two years ago returning from Texas to Atlanta, getting off I-20 E we lost the stub axel end that fits into the final drive. The splines gave up
> the ghost where they mate to the final drive. Caused a horrendous grinding noise, no movement and drifting when brakes where released. 3.70 LS FD
> innards toast.
> If there’s a way, check stub axel spline fitting to FD, I’d do it.
>
> George Zhookoff
> 78 EL II
> Atlanta

George,

It doesn't feel like a broken stub.... Just more play than I've noticed on other vehicle's stub axles over the years...

--
Mark S. '73 Painted Desert,
Manny 1 Ton Front End,
Howell Injection,
Leigh Harrison 4bag and Rear Brakes,
Fort Worth, TX
 
You can remove the long throughbolt from the drivers side drive flange, and
then remove the flange itself. Clean it up, and measure the o.d. of the
flange shaft on yours compared to factory specs. There is a high/low
tolerance spec for that shaft. Compare that figure to what you have, and
see what's what. Get your C.S.I. light and inspect the internal bore
diameter. There should be a spec.
for that bore also. Bore diameter, minus the shaft diameter is the
clearance you should have. If the bore is too big, then that is not a good
thing. Same if the shaft diameter is too small. Lots of them are sloppy
loose. That does not mean that it's O.K. Worn out is just that. How far
will it go before you have problems with it? Do you feel lucky?
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

On Fri, Jul 31, 2020, 4:26 PM Mark Sawyer via Gmclist <

> > Two years ago returning from Texas to Atlanta, getting off I-20 E we
> lost the stub axel end that fits into the final drive. The splines gave up
> > the ghost where they mate to the final drive. Caused a horrendous
> grinding noise, no movement and drifting when brakes where released. 3.70
> LS FD
> > innards toast.
> > If there’s a way, check stub axel spline fitting to FD, I’d do it.
> >
> > George Zhookoff
> > 78 EL II
> > Atlanta
>
> George,
>
> It doesn't feel like a broken stub.... Just more play than I've noticed
> on other vehicle's stub axles over the years...
>
> --
> Mark S. '73 Painted Desert,
> Manny 1 Ton Front End,
> Howell Injection,
> Leigh Harrison 4bag and Rear Brakes,
> Fort Worth, TX
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
WE have supplied overn 3,000 rebuilt final drive with various gear
ratio (355 ,370, 410)and with Limited Slip option
The reason for the SLOP is that the Stub Shaft is bolted the Spider gear
which will be loose until load is applied.
Instead of being concerned about that, change out the 40 year old grease.

On Fri, Jul 31, 2020 at 4:40 PM James Hupy via Gmclist <

> You can remove the long throughbolt from the drivers side drive flange, and
> then remove the flange itself. Clean it up, and measure the o.d. of the
> flange shaft on yours compared to factory specs. There is a high/low
> tolerance spec for that shaft. Compare that figure to what you have, and
> see what's what. Get your C.S.I. light and inspect the internal bore
> diameter. There should be a spec.
> for that bore also. Bore diameter, minus the shaft diameter is the
> clearance you should have. If the bore is too big, then that is not a good
> thing. Same if the shaft diameter is too small. Lots of them are sloppy
> loose. That does not mean that it's O.K. Worn out is just that. How far
> will it go before you have problems with it? Do you feel lucky?
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Oregon
>
> On Fri, Jul 31, 2020, 4:26 PM Mark Sawyer via Gmclist <

>

> > > Two years ago returning from Texas to Atlanta, getting off I-20 E we
> > lost the stub axel end that fits into the final drive. The splines gave
> up
> > > the ghost where they mate to the final drive. Caused a horrendous
> > grinding noise, no movement and drifting when brakes where released. 3.70
> > LS FD
> > > innards toast.
> > > If there’s a way, check stub axel spline fitting to FD, I’d do it.
> > >
> > > George Zhookoff
> > > 78 EL II
> > > Atlanta
> >
> > George,
> >
> > It doesn't feel like a broken stub.... Just more play than I've noticed
> > on other vehicle's stub axles over the years...
> >
> > --
> > Mark S. '73 Painted Desert,
> > Manny 1 Ton Front End,
> > Howell Injection,
> > Leigh Harrison 4bag and Rear Brakes,
> > Fort Worth, TX
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Jim, are there any externally identifiable markings on your final drives showing it’s one of yours and/or the ratio, or is the only way to visually identify one of your units removing the cover and counting teeth?

>
> WE have supplied overn 3,000 rebuilt final drive with various gear
> ratio (355 ,370, 410)and with Limited Slip option
 
Were the only one that stamps our ratio, 355, 370 or 410. It is by the
cover on the flat surface that the cover seats on.
We try to paint them Navy Blue.

On Sat, Aug 1, 2020 at 12:17 PM Dave Stragand via Gmclist <

> Jim, are there any externally identifiable markings on your final drives
> showing it’s one of yours and/or the ratio, or is the only way to visually
> identify one of your units removing the cover and counting teeth?
>
> > On Aug 1, 2020, at 10:14 AM, Jim Kanomata via Gmclist <

> >
> > WE have supplied overn 3,000 rebuilt final drive with various gear
> > ratio (355 ,370, 410)and with Limited Slip option
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
 
> WE have supplied overn 3,000 rebuilt final drive with various gear
> ratio (355 ,370, 410)and with Limited Slip option
> The reason for the SLOP is that the Stub Shaft is bolted the Spider gear
> which will be loose until load is applied.
> Instead of being concerned about that, change out the 40 year old grease.

Thanks Jim... That makes sense. BTW, changed out the lube this past winter....
--
Mark S. '73 Painted Desert,
Manny 1 Ton Front End,
Howell Injection,
Leigh Harrison 4bag and Rear Brakes,
Fort Worth, TX
 
Mark, There are times when we assenblw one, there is no wobble, but 80% has
that phenomena.
We tried shimming it, but were told by people in the know that its not
with the time.

On Sat, Aug 1, 2020 at 2:41 PM Mark Sawyer via Gmclist <

> > WE have supplied overn 3,000 rebuilt final drive with various gear
> > ratio (355 ,370, 410)and with Limited Slip option
> > The reason for the SLOP is that the Stub Shaft is bolted the Spider gear
> > which will be loose until load is applied.
> > Instead of being concerned about that, change out the 40 year old grease.
>
> Thanks Jim... That makes sense. BTW, changed out the lube this past
> winter....
> --
> Mark S. '73 Painted Desert,
> Manny 1 Ton Front End,
> Howell Injection,
> Leigh Harrison 4bag and Rear Brakes,
> Fort Worth, TX
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
 
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