Vibration. Play in Axle Stub-Diff.-Roller Bearing? Clutch?

[HobbyWrench]

Hi,

Could excess play in the axle stub of my sedan (5-spd, FWD, 151K miles) be the cause for vibration/shaking that increases with speed - due to a worn differential roller bearing? (I can grab the axle stub and move it up and down when cold, but after running/heated, there is no play.)

I've read posts addressing o-ring and oil seal replacement (and necessary caution in realigning the retainer - counting notches).

Does the bearing retainer actually hold the bearing, so when I remove the retainer I'll be able to remove/replace the bearing?

If so, in replacing the retainer, can I assume the retainer is in the same position as when new, so I can just align the retainer in the same position with the new bearing?

(The driver's side axle stub is still tight, when cold or hot. ) Will I have to unscrew the drivers/left side retainer and confirm both are at the same number of back turns? (Should I have to do this, assuming I'm re-creating the original, new condition on the right side?)

Would anyone have the appropriate excerpt from an fsm that could help me with this?

The original clutch is in this car. It doesn't slip but is there a chance that it, or a related part, it is causing vibration? When I coast with the clutch in, most of the vibration disappears.

Thanks for the help!

Mike

[Legacy777]

Mike,

Yes the bearing retainer does hold the bearing. I have my suspicion that the bearing is pressed onto the differential, so just sliding if off is probably not an option, however I'm not positive about that.

Hopefully someone else can chime in. I'll try and remember to look at the factory manual. Shoot me an email if I don't reply.

[HobbyWrench]

Thanks, Josh.

Any information from the Service Manual would be great!

I'm wondering that if the bearing retainer's function is to apply pressure, and thereby control movement of the bearing, then the bearing must not be entirely fixed in place. (Giving me some hope!)

The right side is loose when cold, but after the initial post, I noticed that after warm-up to operating temperatures, the play is all taken up.

Another possibility causing the vibration could be clutch chatter. The car has 151K miles with the original clutch - it doesn't slip but will clutch wear (or something else) cause this?

Thanks.

Mike

[Kelly]

I dont know the exact specs, but Id assume the diff bearings are gonna need to have some amount of play cold, to allow for heat expansion. Ive had the retainers off before, and just counted the notches, one side at a time.

Im kinda dealing with a vibration problem myself that is mild, until I hit about 80 and it starts. Seems to only be really bad under accelleration.

Im gonna start with tires, as I suspect the cheap ass Nittos are part of the problem. Next Im gonna start suspecting the driveline.

In my experiance, Ive never really run into front diff issues on these cars, and I know mine has never been messed with.

[Legacy777]

Im kinda dealing with a vibration problem myself that is mild, until I hit about 80 and it starts. Seems to only be really bad under accelleration.

Im gonna start with tires, as I suspect the cheap ass Nittos are part of the problem. Next Im gonna start suspecting the driveline.

In my experiance, Ive never really run into front diff issues on these cars, and I know mine has never been messed with.

You may want to also check your CV joints. I had some weird vibration issues that were caused by my CV joints.

[Legacy777]

Mike,

Shoot me an email to remind me.....I forgot

[chochocho]

Im kinda dealing with a vibration problem myself that is mild, until I hit about 80 and it starts. Seems to only be really bad under accelleration.

Im gonna start with tires, as I suspect the cheap ass Nittos are part of the problem. Next Im gonna start suspecting the driveline.

In my experiance, Ive never really run into front diff issues on these cars, and I know mine has never been messed with.

You may want to also check your CV joints. I had some weird vibration issues that were caused by my CV joints.

i seem to have the same issues at 80mph but at 5th gear only. lightly tapping the gas to accelerate seem to help. but when i step on the gas pedal, it would just stutter. i will need an alignment as i had some suspension work done. could also be the cv joints as they look quite old on the car.