My 8 3/4 rear end has some play in the pinion... is this normal?? VIDEO

[jenkins71]

Hey guys. I can rotate my driveshaft a few degrees one way or another before the rear wheel start to turn. This is an 8 3/4" rear end with a 741 yoke. I was wondering if this is normal? Please check out my video and let me know!!!
Thanks!
https://youtu.be/Sqd12dNSFAs

 

[cudajunction]

It should have play nothing even close to that much though.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Damn! You better get that checked!

 

[747mopar]

Wow, I wouldn't drive that until you get it fixed!

 

[jenkins71]

Damn! Any idea what that means???

 

[5.7 hemi]

Bearings.

 

[747mopar]

Yeap, pinion bearings. Good chance the gears won't look to pretty either.

 

[jenkins71]

Bearings? Why would bearings make left/right rotational play on a pinion? I thought maybe it was the sure grip or locker or whatever is in this thing.

 

[747mopar]

Something has allowed the backlash to get sloppy which could be, carrier bearings, carrier bearing adjusters, gear wear or pinion bearings. Shouldn't have rushed to say pinion bearings, could be any of them. All the bearings are tapered bearings and also control the positioning of the gears so any bearing wear allows the gears to shift and get sloppy.

 

[5.7 hemi]

The only thing keeping the pinion straight is the bearings, so if it's moving, it's bearings.

 

[Kernel Sanders]

if it were an open, couldnt it be badly worn spider gears or cross shaft? Just thinking about alternate possibilities but regardless it must come out

if it is an open rear and its the spiders or shaft I can send you replacements if you like for shipping...

 

[jenkins71]

Wow, thanks for the offer man, but it is some kind of limited slip for sure! Not sure what brand it is, but it was definitely set up for some strip use. I remember it chattering around corners when i was driving it a bit.
I think they are 3.91 gears. It has a cal-tracs on it too.

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The only thing keeping the pinion straight is the bearings, so if it's moving, it's bearings.

The pinion is still straight, the play is just rotational (clockwise, counter clockwise)

 

[Cranky]

if it were an open, couldnt it be badly worn spider gears or cross shaft? Just thinking about alternate possibilities but regardless it must come out

if it is an open rear and its the spiders or shaft I can send you replacements if you like for shipping...

Yup, but the carrier fit could also be worn and replacing the cross shaft may not help much if at all....

Wow, thanks for the offer man, but it is some kind of limited slip for sure! Not sure what brand it is, but it was definitely set up for some strip use. I remember it chattering around corners when i was driving it a bit.
I think they are 3.91 gears. It has a cal-tracs on it too.

- - - Updated - - -

The pinion is still straight, the play is just rotational (clockwise, counter clockwise)

If you are not experiencing any gear noise (howl or whine) or bearings rumbling, it could very well be excessive cross shaft or spider wear but generally, if the spiders are worn on the shaft, the shaft is usually worn in it's fit too and that would generally wear the carrier unit rendering it useless. Since you don't know what's back there be it stock or an aftermarket unit, best thing to do is pull it out and check it. The last time I had that much play in the pinion, the cross shaft had wallowed out the carrier pretty bad and it needed to be replaced while the gears and bearings remained good....

 

[5.7 hemi]

After watching the video again, it could be teeth missing on either the pinion or ring gear, cross shaft spiders, or the cross shaft moving in side the carrier. Either way, it has to come out.

 

[MOPOWER871]

Pull it out, better safe than sorry https://youtu.be/099douUPsOE