Dana 18 Output Shaft End-Play

The output shaft of my Dana 18 has about 1/8" of play side to side. I was in the process of changing the leaking rear seal and u-joints and hoping to keep it simple. Do I need to rethink that strategy and drop the TC for a rebuild or is this side play normal? The 3-speed and TC were working fine (except for rear output leak) as far as i can tell.

 

did you check to see if front is also moving . output shaft is two piece set up . one shaft for front and one for rear with a bushing between shafts

 

I checked the front output and it has a little play. Hard to tell with the front driveshaft still connected. (There's a lot of side play in my front slip joint though.)

I'm inclined to finish up with my rear axle rebuild, u-joints and rear seal on the TC and let the TC ride until I'm ready to move forward. Unless this side play in the rear output is a sign of imminent bearing failure.

 

There shouldn't be any side play. I think it's time for a rebuild.

 

Ok but let me clarify. The rear nut and companion flange has been removed. In this case there should be no side play, Correct?

 

It's not the nut that preloads the bearing. It's the shim pack behind the speedometer housing.

 

To check that correctly the companion flange and nut must be installed and torqued properly. With the nut off the shaft can move.


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Thanks Nick. I should of clarified that.

 

Thanks so much for the clarification. Whew,, this eases my mind a bit. Hoping it removes most of the play when i install the flange & nut.

 

I've read where a double lipped seal might be an improvement on the Dana 18 TC. Does anyone have a part number and source for an improved rear output seal for the Dana 18?

Also wondering if i can ditch the e-brake backing plate since I'm converting to 11" rear drum e-brakes. Has anyone done this and what do I need to watch for?

Thanks!

 

thanks Howard. I couldn't get that link to fly but I searched and found your posts on this subject. On a 1970 D-18 I'm coming up with 2 ea. National 473229 seals and a Redi-sleeve #99156 for the rear output. Still confused on some of the previous posts. These are installed with the "cup" side of the seal facing towards the front of vehicle?

 

I had to post this photo link of my TC. I'm afraid of what i might find under this homemade cover,,,,,
http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii610/Elislives/DanaRearPic.jpg

 

There are a lot of early jeeps running around with that tranny (drive shaft) brake assy removed.

 

Yup. Mine included. One of these days it's getting put back on.....


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Do you suggest I leave the backing plate installed until I'm prepared to rebuild the T/C? I ask because it appears the rear cap hold the bearing assembly and to remove the backing plate it all comes apart. I may not be stating this clearly.

 

There are 4 bolts that hold the backing plate on. One threads into the rear output housing and the other 3 use long bolts that thread into the transfer case housing through the rear housing. There is a 5th bolt that is short that just holds the rear output housing on. You can remove the 4 bolts holding the backing plate on and re-install the 3 longer bolts. I'd recommend cleaning them thoroughly and a little sealer on the threads.

Edit: I should add you don't have to do this but it really cleans it up under there if not using the park brake.

 

Very helpful. Thanks for the detail on this. Off to crawl underneath and clean this thing up a bit.