A customer dropped off a 1970 Challenger with an 8 3/4 Suregrip rear. He had the outer seals changed at a local muffler shop, and now the axles slide in and out about 2". The drums end up rubbing on the backing plate. They told him it was that way. Before I tear it apart, has anyone seen this before? Easy fix?
Thanks,
Jim

see if the adjusters are still there

I have no idea what you got going there, bu I'd sure like to see it...

And who has a muffler shop play with a rear axle???

1970...cone style? thrust block spacer missing?

Sounds like the center thrust button drop out when the other shop replaced the axle seals. this applys to the early Dana clutch type posi, not the later cup and cone type posi units Pull one axle, either side, and use a flashlight to look into the center where the axles go and see if there is hole that is empty If so you need a new thrust button kit(Dr Diff on here stocks them ), all three pieces, to get the axle end play set up properly (see the factory service manuals) It may be easier and faster to take the third member out to install the new thrust button parts I have used grease on the end of the axles to install the two main parts, it was probally a excercise in futility though now looking and thinking back Sometimes we get smarter later

Thanks Everyone.

Anyone have any pic's or diagrams as to what I am looking for?

Thanks,
Jim

I just installed these It is much easier or best to do removed. I pressed the roll pin till it sticks out about an 70 thousanths in one side then hold the other half with the axle, then with a heavy drift and a light hammer tap the roll pin in. The weight of the axle holds in the side receiving the roll pin and allows it to float. takes a few minutes less the removal of the pumpkin.

A glob of good axle grease to hold them in place works as well as the roll pin which will break shortly after installation anyway.

OK, got it apart this morning and all the parts seem to be there, including the adjuster on the right side only. The is a lot of play between the collar and bearings (about 1 inch on each side). Tried to get a few pic's that shows the distance.

I don't think the adjuster would take out this much play?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim

Right Side

Left Side pushed in....

That is all normal like that ... well except for those wheel studs that are NOT fully seated ... DANGER WILL ROBINSON ... DANGER ...

Also those are pretty nasty , grimey grungy ... clean it good and repack the bearings .

The adjuster will take up the play if all the parts are in the center AND the axles are the proper length...

Thanks JohnRR,

Yeah, saw the studs, plan on seating them fully!!

I was thinking the same thing about the length, but he said the rear end was fine before he got the seals replaced. Do you know what the length should be?

Thanks,
Jim

Also, not sure what you mean by "if all parts are in the center"?

Thanks,
Jim

He means, if the thrust buttons are in the sure-grip unit. I just had the exact same problem, because someone put the clutch style 3rd member in without the thrust buttons in place. Had about 2 inches of play in each axle and the brake drums were grinding on everything. Dr. Diff or Mancini Racing have what you need for around $30.

Thanks everyone, looks like we got it.

It looks like when they replaced the seals, they did not put the adjuster retainer back in and it backed most of the way out. We
put everything back together, tightened the adjuster and the axles
only move a little now. Now to find another retainer...

Thanks again,
Jim