Second question on the “you know better” rear differential

[Dbutler56]

The previous owner did not have a mechanical bone in his body but he had a wonderful heart.

My dad and myself walked him through everything he did, or worked with him on it side by side.

We instructed him on assembling the rear differential. Afterwards we went over it again specifically asking him if he had inserted these.
He hadn’t so he took it apart and put them in.


I keep trying to convince myself that i can get a “good enough” look at the gear lash with a scope since it hasn’t ever had oil.........

Yeah I know—-just trying to convince myself again when i know better, if he could forget that, how could he possibly have set it right?

[Mark Gregush]

Is the rear end installed? Guessing if the parts shown were needed he replaced the axles?
Simple check, push the axles in and out and same with driveshaft, how much play? When you turn the driveshaft, how much play do you feel or hear? Did he install the u-joint rivet?

[Dbutler56]

Yes the rear axle is “completed” and installed (right or wrong), but No I really cant be sure of the u-joint.

[Steve Jelf]

It's easy enough to check the U-joint rivet.

Just remove the plug and look inside.

[Walter Higgins]

Crack it open and look. If it hasn't had oil put in it yet it won't be too messy of a job and if it's correctly done it will go back together easily and, if not correctly done.... it was going to come back apart, anyway!