So I am rebuilding my differential. Specifically the LSD carrier in my 84 gsl-SE

So I put the stack of plates all together with the spider gears and everything. I measured all the plates with a micrometer and everything is in spec. Seems fine.

BUT

When everything is back together and the case is back on the thrust washers are not tight. It concerns me because I even got the oversized washers from Mazdatrix.

They stay in position but you can just move them around with the tip of a screw driver. Should I be concerned? I thought I read somewhere that thrust washers aren't tight when new? Any truth to this... I am a little nervous about this.

Please help me diff experts!

 

bump for trying to get my project done on a timeline. Maybe this is a bad explanation?

 

Hey dude just a quick word of advice you should check your backlash with a dial indicator and check the gear wear pattern with some GM gear marking compound.

Now, are you referring to washers on the sides of the unit itself? Do they not have something to preload? Like a big nut that winds in?

 

This is exactly what I encountered when I rebuilt my SE's diff last year. Individual measurements, and stack measurements ended up at the tight end of factory spec's, yet I could move the brand new thrust washers around with a screwdriver as you can, when all assembled. ..I ended up with my backlash aboot 1thou out of spec, but it performs/locks well.

 

Great, thanks sevens4me for the shared experience! Makes me feel a lot better.

I actually talked to a guy in CA who builds lots of RX7 diffs and he said there can be float on the thrust washers when new but when loaded up they seat.

Just out of curiousity when you stacked the clutches back together did you put oil on them? He told me it was necessary but I didn't read it in any of the walkthrough posts I found.

Anyway thanks again! huge help!

 

I reassembled everything dry.