17-02-2022, 09:59 PM
I got the axle complete with torque tube out by using two trolley jacks (ie with wheels) with each axle half 'bunge'ed' to the jacks to avoid slipping off. I had already disconnected the front prop shaft and the chassis mounting ball etc and swung that to one side. The whole thing came back easily by pulling both jacks. I found that the large nut that clamps the angular contact bearings to the pinion was not tight and some way away from the bearing face thus giving me that unwanted movement. So Parazine, you were correct. The nut had the old grub screw tightened against the flat on the shaft wire locked to stop it turning. The wire was copper and not my usual locking wire. Of course tightening the nut led to the grub screw being in the wrong place ... reminiscent of getting the split pin in the end of the halfshaft! I think I must have assumed (some years ago) that the nut at the other end of the shaft clamped everything up and left the other nut where it was. If all else fails, read the instructions ! I am trying to find a tab washer to use instead of the grub screw. Just a tip for others who might be removing their back axle...I removed the brake shoes on one side but then realised that was not necessary as the backplate has to be removed from the axle complete with shoes and dangling from the brake cable ....now in bags to keep the shoes clean. Crown wheel and pinion does not look any worse than when I first rebuilt it all a few years ago ..... I think.