Rear yoke play

[demonram]

I've developed a vibration. While checking universals, driveshaft, etc. I noticed there seems to be play in the rearend yoke. I can move it up and down and sideways slightly. I don't ever recall feeling any play on any rearend I've worked on before. I've only worked on 91/4 truck rearends though. It's an 83/4 suregrip with 355's on my 72 satty. I'm sorry I didn't check if it's a 741 or 742 it is original though. I looked for past post but found nothing. From what I recall there is no crush sleeve on these (just the 489's). If it's the bearing, whats involved? Thanks in advance HOWARD

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Should be a 489 in that unless someone changed it. Does it make any noise or just a vibration? Sounds like the crush sleeve collapsed a bit. Worse case scenario is the rear comes apart for some fixin. You could try and zap the pinion nut tight and see what happens. You may get lucky and get a few more miles out of it. Sounds sketchy i know, but what the hell.

 

[bm02tj]

If you tighten with out being able to check preload you could do a lot of damage

take apart and fix what ever is wrong with it you may save some money

 

[Supershafts]

See if the nut loosened, if it did tighten it and you might get lucky and not need bearings, but that rear shoulda been howling away when you got off the gas

 

[Hemi Rebel]

If you tighten with out being able to check preload you could do a lot of damage

take apart and fix what ever is wrong with it you may save some money

Youre right, i gave bad advice. You gotta have a feel for it. You cant just go hammering away with an impact gun. If you were to do it, it should be done in very small increments just to the point that the play is gone. And then you need to be able to tell if its too tight by turning the yoke. If you have never set up a rear you may not know what just right feels like. If you can tighten it up and have all play gone, and the torque required to turn the pinion is ok, you may be ok is what i should have said. And only do it if you feel comfortable doing it.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Somethin is amiss back there. You should never be able to have lateral movement in that rear yoke like that. The pinion nuts on Mopars are notorious for backin off. Sometimes, you can get lucky and retighten them and ride. But I would not do that without at the very LEASE, removing the yoke,, replacing the pinion seal and crush sleeve and inspecting the front bearing. Unfortunately, you cannot inspect the larger rear pinion bearing when you do it this way, so it is somewhat of a gamble. The absolute correct way would be to slide the axles out, remove the carrier and inspect it ALL.

 

[demonram]

There is no noise, just a slight vibration. I've never done anything but changed the seal. That was 4 years ago. Since then I have of course stroked it to 451 and its putting 360 horse and 460 ft lbs. torque to the wheels. I didn't think that maybe it came loose. It doesn't leak a drop so I thought maybe it could be normal. I can try to tighten it carefully, and see what happens. I've never rebuilt a rearend, pulling it is no problem though. I was hoping it was a universal. I really don't beat on it hard but when I do get on it,it will bark em hittin 2nd with the torque flight. I don't do burnouts but it will go sideways at 15 when I jump on it. Thanks again and anything else you can tell me would be greatly appreciated. Howard

 

[Meep-Meep]

What you describe is not good for parts and will cause a vibration. If it's a 741 or 42 then tightening the yoke to about 200-250 ft lbs. should cure it. But I would do it in steps while checking for easy rotation along the way. A new seal should also be installed but only after you verified you don't need to rebuild it. Try this: Tighten to about 50 ft lbs and see how it feels while turning the yoke by hand. If that feels OK then proceed 50 lbs higher and check again. Still good? Did not get tighter to turn by hand? Go another 50 lbs and repeat check procedure. It should have slight resistance but feel smooth. If it feels like a ratchet or like someone put sand in there it's time for a rebuild.

 

[demonram]

One other thing there is a lot of play turning it right and left. Sorry I should have mentioned it at the start. I am gonna try your suggestions. Howard

 

[D575]

I just went through the same thing. Had a pinion leak . I didn't really have any noise or movement. this is what I found.

went back with a crush sleeve eliminator.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Is that a heater to get the bearing to expand? Very slick.

 

[Meep-Meep]

It would have made noise eventually!

 

[D575]

It would have made noise eventually!

Lets put it this way, It would have to make one hell of a noise for me to hear it. It was probably howling like hell .

 

[demonram]

There is no leak either. That's what's got me stumped also. I am going to try the suggestions. Again THANKS and you guys are the best!