Axle housing reattachment ?

[Robert Bente]

I removed the rear end and opened the housings to check to see if it had brass or Babbitt thrust washers.
It had brass, so now trying to reconnect the housings but I’ve a 1/4 gap between the housings. I’m thinking that the outside thrust washers have slipped down between the Hyatt bearing and were they are supposed to be. What is the proper procedure to reconnect the two halves together. I do not have the rear end manual, so my references are online and the Ford black book.
r/s Bob

[rickd]

Kind of does sound like the thrust washers have come off their pins during reassembly if you just popped it open for a peek. Usually a slight smear of grease on the washers will keep them in place as you put things back together. I usually have my axles in a vertical mount for reassembly so it may be easier said then done.

[Oldav8tor]

I guess I'd question whether the pins that hold the thrust washers onto the differential halves are worn and need replacement. You'd have to separate the halves quite a bit in order to see.

If you think they're just slipping off the pins before the halves can be brought together, you might try smearing a little grease on the back of the washer to "stick" it to the housing.

[DanTreace]

You'll have 2 sets of thrust washers to check, both housings. So will have to open up about this much on each to reposition the washers. Adding grease to lock them in place was good idea that works.

If there are modern inner seals at the ends of the axles, take care to not pull the housings too far apart, as the axle end can ruin the modern seals.
Most times easy to move the housings apart if the outer Hyatt bearings are out too.

[Oldav8tor]

I should have mentioned there is only one pin securing the inner steel washer which makes it a little more difficult to keep in place sometimes.

[Robert Bente]

I have the inner steel washer set in the pin, does the outer have a pin for the steel washer on the axle housing?

[TFan]

Robert, Check those thrust washers real close, sometimes they look bronze but are just colored from the grease I would recommend trying to scribe a mark on them to see if they really bronze babbit would show silver. There are pins on both surfaces. Jim

[Corey Walker]

Those pins are often broken off. Somebody removed them from one side.

[Robert Bente]

Thank you all, I’ve had an ah ha moment due to your posts.
r/s Bob