any adjustments on the differential?

[erickmarciano]

Hi
when I shift hard there is a clunk from the back . put the car on a lift <all the mounts are new > and when i turn the driveshaft by hand it does not engage the diff directly like there is a play . can this be adjusted?I think it is called the end play
thanks
Erick

1971 280sl
1962 VW
1954 Allstate vespa
1958 gs150 vespa
1962 gs160 vespa

[A Dalton]

There is a Backlash spec for the ring/pinion and it is set with flange/bearing spacer washers of different thickness, but equipment is needed for measurement [ dial indicators]. The spec is .0062" backlash.
... but , that being said, the play one sees /feels in a differential is the combined total play/wear of the components, so a backlash adjustment is not always a remedy . Slide coupling and joint,spider gear and pin wear are prob more an ssue , along with splines, than ring/pinion backlash ajustment. As JA posted a wile back, the pin for spider gears wears in the casing , and this will also cause a good thunk, specialy between decel/accel ..

[Douglas]

Might this also be a symptom of the universal joint at the end of the driveshaft about to give way?

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[A Dalton]

quote:Originally posted by Douglas

Might this also be a symptom of the universal joint at the end of the driveshaft about to give way?

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

 Could be , but I would assume if he has looked at it on a lift, the drive shaft has already been checked and the play has been found to be in differential.. but, it is possible ths has not been checked
 Erick,  Has this been done   Is there play between the shaft and the flange??? If so , there is no adjustment for universal joints.
 A little nore info will help narrow it down.

[erickmarciano]

yes not the joint , the play is not that bad just borred nothing to do to the car over the cold winter .how hard is it to get to the flange/bearing spacer washers?

thanks

1971 280sl
1962 VW
1954 Allstate vespa
1958 gs150 vespa
1962 gs160 vespa

[A Dalton]

It's a 10..
 It is not just getting there , it is the setting up of gear mesh and measures , along with bearing load specs.. The diff has to come out and apart..
..so..if you are not pro ,[ or have not done any pinion/ring set-ups]  and it is not that bad, find another winter project.