Rear Axle Bearings "done deal"

[MPH 12]

Dang, was going to do a quickie job today and put new seals I've had for awhile in the Landlord, as I was cleaning it up noticed I have a fair amount of play up and down in the axle. Measured about 1/8inch like this

Seems like way too much too me, is this close to park it or fix it? Have a couple other things I Gotta get done this winter before I could tear the tranny apart to replace the bearings, like rebuild a mower deck. Is it just a waste to put the new seals in? Thanks..

[Roy 0]

Marty, 1. Make sure the play is all in the axle tube and there isn't any between the axle and wheel hub/flange. 2. See how much play is between the axle and axle tube. 3. From above two steps you will know how much actual play is in the axle tube bushing/bearing. 4. Most lip seals are designed to accommodate a maximum of 0.015 run out. You may get away with more for some time. For the cost of two seals you don't have a lot to lose so give it a shot. If the seal(s) fail quickly the last resort is new axle tube bearings. Good luck, Oh, the play is less than you measured at the end of the axle shaft. Could be approximately 1/3 of your measurement.

[MPH 12]

I can see the movement against the tranny housing Roy. "Oh, the play is less than you measured at the end of the axle shaft. Could be approximately 1/3 of your measurement" Good point, realized that too but didn't know how to measure next to the housing, hmm, maybe I'll see how big of a spark plug gap gauge I can stick in it. Hope I don't find the same deal on the 725, they both been leaking for a few years, tired of adding syn. grease at 9 bucks a quart..

[MPH 12]

Well, it's back together with new seals, not giving these another 40 years till I replace the bushings though. I was looking in my B-112 parts book before when I called them bearings, was a bit surprized when I got the seal out and saw the end of a bushing. Maybe it because of the loose bushing, but it just amazes me how much wear a rubber seal can cause to a metal shaft, heck, another 40 years the axle tube will be cut in two.