Just went through my 9.3 olds diff and replaced the axle bearings, made new gaskets for the backing plate and bearing retainers. When I install the axles I can get a little endplay of the bearing sliding back and forth between the housing and the retainer. Without gaskets there is no play. There is gaskets from factory so what gives? Ideas?
Maybe the replacement bearings are a hair thinner or your gasket is too thick but maybe you are feeling the play in the bearing itself?..Leave the gasket out, use thin coat of RTV...
The bearing is correct, I think its the gaskets, I used 1/32nd and probably should have used 1/64th material. I'll try that and see if it fixes it up, otherwise sealant here I come. The housing and retainer plate look impeccable so there is no reason why it should be out of spec.
Factory gaskets were thin like a piece of paper. Not much of a gasket, just enough to keep metal off metal. Not even as thick as construction paper. More like the paper used as an anti rust wrap on rotors etc...
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