Damage to Sliding Joint Rear Axle

[declanobrien]

Due to a personality failing, where I act before I read,(lesson now learned),when removing my rear axle, I undid the hanging bolt without propping the axle. The diff dropped but was held by the stay, and also by the natural hold of the rear wheels. Everything I have read says not to let the right tube drop. I ended up with the reverse, as effectively, the right tube went up!!!!!!!!!!
I have now removed the right tube, as I am rebuilding the axle. How do I know if damage has been caused to the sliding joint? On inspection nothing seems damaged. The inner sliding section is moving very smoothly within the joint, and the UJ is rotating also very smoothly.

[ja17]

Hello,

I have never heard of anything being damaged by letting the axle tube move upward.

[JimVillers]

I believe that the damage normally associated with dropping the right side axle is breaking the bottom of the cast differential housing.  Easy to inspect for damage. 

[jeffc280sl]

I've shown in red where the damage occurs if you let the right axle drop unexpectantly. Even after receiving a warning from Joe I had one slip and bang down and snap off a chunk the casing.  I was able to find a skilled welder that did a great repair of the cast iron.  Looking at the diagram and the symetry it may happen to the top side also.  As Jim said its easy to check.

[declanobrien]

Thanks for info. On inspection I think I have been lucky, no sign of damage. Yes Jeff, on rotating the UJ, it could also damage the upper casing as the clearance top and bottom is the same.