Axle woes

[Jon Burns]

While finding out why I had zero hand/emergency/parking brake (see picture) we also came across a fair amount of play in the hub/drive shaft assembly. Can anyone tell me how much play is acceptable when pulling/pushing the hub assembly in the direction of the arrow?

 

[tenikiwon]

Don't know but mine did have play. But no noticeable problems so I just ignored it. Both sides seemed similar

Side Note: Don't know if you saw my post, but the book calls for axle removal to replace the parking brake pads, but you don't need to. Can be done in an hour or so

 

[RiverRat]

There is quite a bit. I don't have a number

 

[ahhjaws]

I remember about 1-2 cm, If I remember right.

 

[tenikiwon]

sounds like more than I had

 

[ahhjaws]

Wait, not 2 cm. I'm way off on that. Don't ask me what I was thinking. Probably max 1 cm.

 

[mrboyle]

The axle will move in and out at least 1/8" or so.

 

[NH25]

Its normal for the axle shaft to move in and out a little. When you are moving the axle in and out you are taking up the play that is built in to the c-clips and the carrier. Its not something to worry about.

Did you have to replace the drums when you did the brakes? They look pretty hammered!

 

[Jon Burns]

Thank you to every one who responded!

I would say that we found approx 1-2 mm of play which when compared to "normal" cars would cause concern but we just have very little to go on here. There are just too few Explorers locally (so few that we tend to wave and flash headlights furiously at each other as we pass - yes it's sad, I know). No one really has much knowledge of whats right or wrong. I have a Haynes and a Clinton manual and a Ford CDRom but they're not too much help. The CDRom mentions .762 mm play but you need to use a dial gage and a stand to measure this. Needless to say I don't have either. I'm not much into spending my hard earned cash at the local Ford dealers so I'm pretty much on my own.

As to the brakes I've got a set of slotted rotors/disks on order at the local brake guy (standard were US$ 78.00 each and slotted were US$ 103.00 each - God knows how much OEM would be) I had to get a set of new shoes from Ford as they're not available here as an aftermarket part and they cost US$ 147.00 and take two to three days to order in. I am hoping that we can fit the new shoes without taking the axles out - I was'nt aware that that would be needed. Has this been featured somewhere in the past so I can prepare myself? I have tried a search but with no luck - probably to do with the old adage - two nations divided by a common language!

Thanks again for finding time to respond what with everything thats going on at the moment


Thanks, Rick for getting a Union Flag up so us third worlders can find each other.