Re: [Chrysler300] axel end play on 300C

[Ray Jones <hurst300@xxxx>]

Gary and all;
You may never know there is a problem, or at least not for a long time.
When I was planing to come to my first meet in 1980, my wife said we weren't
going unless I replaced the rear bearings. She has had cars up to her ears
since we met 47 years ago, and is VERY good with them. Said she could
hear/feel them...I said she was nuts! I am/was a pro auto tech, and have had
several auto businesses and I didn't think anything was wrong with them.
But, just to shut her up, I replaced them. I checked them coming out and
after they were pressed off and other then some grunelling, I saw no
problem. We then went to Pennsville NJ to the meet the next day and my
milage jumped from 8mpg to 12 from that time on. I just thought that 8 was
low normal for that big a car and engine. We had owned 348 and 409 muti-carb
cars prior to this one and 8mpg wasn't too bad for us. Now this "L" had over
400,000 miles on it at the time, I'm the 3rd owner and knew both the
previous owners, so knew the milage was right, and they said they had never
changed the bearings.

So, if you have milage problems, replace your rear bearings...might fix it.
Strange but true. See you ALL in Nashville, and can tell ya more.
Ray Jones

p.s.: That decision to go to the meet was one of the better ones in my life.
We met and grew to love a wonderful group of people. We had not done
anything like that before and it was hard to just go into the unknown. If
any of you reading this have not come to a meet, just DO it. I promise you
will not regret it. We have many dear and treasured friends that we would
not have met any other way, and value these friendships which in many ways
have changed much of our lives. R

> From: Gary Nelson <Gary@xxxx>
> Date: Sat, 20 Jul 2002 22:09:06 -0700
> To: Owen & Jo Grigg <ram300@xxxx>, Chrysler Club
> <Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] axel end play on 300C
> 
> Owen
> I see the only logic you over looked is expansion of metals. Dave S. said
> it . You have to allow for expansion of metals or you may get pre load on
> the outer axle bearings. This will lead to premature bearing failure.
> Warren below makes another point that his International manual calls for
> .001 to .009. All I can say, different vehicle, design and engineers.
> Warrens second point why has there not been posts when someone set up at
> .006 and not .018. My guess is if one started to notice a growling axle
> bearing and disassembled to see a trashed bearing the first thing you would
> think the bearing went bad. I am not saying Chrysler engineers had it all
> figured out, but for now I think I will stay with manual spec's.
> I was going to mention it then Owen post it. The rear axles we are talking
> about the outer axle bearing is not lubricated by gear oil. They are
> isolated from gear oil by the inner axle seal. These bearings must be
> packed like front axle bearings and need maintenance .like front wheel
> bearings. Theres a winter job for you.
> 
> Gary, The parts doc
> 
> At 10:54 AM 7/21/2002 +1200, Owen & Jo Grigg wrote:
>> I really can't see any reason to run as much as .018" end play. The main
>> reason I can see for having end play, is to allow lubrication to the
>> bearings. How much play do you need for oil to get to the bearings? I would
>> of thought .007"-008" would be plenty. Just my .0002c worth.
>> Owen
>> 
>> From: Warren R Anderson <wranderson@xxxx>
>> To: Owen & Jo Grigg <ram300@xxxx>; David Zakarian <arshog@xxxx>;
>> Chrysler Club <Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; Gary Nelson <Gary@xxxx>
>> Sent: Saturday, July 20, 2002 1:40 PM
>> 
>> 
>>> My closest source for 1957 cars is Motors Manual, 1962. It shows in specs
>>> .013-.023 and a foot note to set to .018. The word how to section stays
>> with
>>> this spec from 1957 to 1961 with special note about why the need for end
>>> play (heat expansion of axle shafts).
>>> 
>>> I looked in a 1964 Motors and it wanders off into deep discussion as to
>>> equalizing shim packs side to side to center thrust block which is a
>> subject
>>> the '62 book does not mention. Spec stays the same at set to .018 up
>> through
>>> 1964. Switch from .003-.008 to .013 to .023 would seem to be for 1957 MY
>>> Chryslers. I don't remember setting up Internationals that loose so
>> checked
>>> manual and spec is .001-.009. Surprised there has not been some posting as
>>> to what happens with a Chrysler set at say .006 that should have been
>> .018.
>>> 
>>> Warren Anderson
> 
> 
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