Differential bearing quill shimming...

I've re-installed my differential (1946 A") and I played with the bearing tolerances until I got what I felt was right. The I&T manual calls for a specific amount of play, but I can't see how you could possibly measure this. (?)

As it is now, a good hand spinning of the differential will get you about two revolutions of the diff. gear; it does not spin entirely freely. There's a little bit of resistance, but the weight of the gears overcomes it to the point that it's almost impossible to notice unless you've spun the gear without any resistance at all.

When I take away one thin shim, it binds and is quite difficult to turn. when I add one thin shim, the shaft spins freely with no resistance at all. Have I got it properly adjusted? I figure once the whole tractor gets warm it'll loosen up a bit anyway.

Any help appreciated-

chris

I did indeed use the same bearings that came out of the old tractor. They were in such good shape I couldn't bear to replace them. So I can't count on any break in there, nor can I add gasket sealer, since I already did that (but I think I just mashed the gaskets down more instead of adding to the shimming).

As for putting a used cup with a used bearing (not originally paired) isn't that a big no-no? I guess I've always been scared to do that after seeing how old bearings seat into themselves in such unique ways... If you've had good results doing this, I'd like to know. Probably save me some money down the line.

I guess I'll probably leave it as is after all...

Thanks for the help-

Chris