8 ¼ Rear End Play

[74ChargerRallye]

I have a 1974 Charger with a 8 ¼ 3:55 rear.  Last weekend I fully jacked up the rear of the charger and put it on blocks.  When I spin the rear wheel back and forth in a clock wise and counter clock wise direction, I would guess that I am getting about 10-15 degrees of play before the drive shaft begins to move.  Should there be any rear-end play? Is this excessive?  How would I correct or adjust?

[Charger74SE]

The service manual says there's is suppose to be .006 to .008 of backlash between the pinion gear and the ring gear. Has to be measured at the ring gear tooth with a dial indicator. Don't know what that equates to in degrees of travel.
If in doubt I would take it to a shop to get it checked because there are several special tools required to fix it if its out of tolerance. I have an 8 1/4 on my 74SE but I've never checked that before.

Does it make any clunking noises when you get on the gas pedal and then when you get off of it?

[74ChargerRallye]

Yes, there is a clunking noise when I transition from accelerating to getting off the gas pedal.  If this is a major problem, maybe its time for an 8 3/4 upgrade.  Will any B Body 71-74 8 3/4 bolt right up without any modifications?

[Nacho-RT74]

73/74 better... if you go 71/72, get also lower plate and rid off the spring isolators clamps... also will need a mod on spring stud, needing to  remove a bushing mounted on stud.

[Charger74SE]

73/74 better... if you go 71/72, get also lower plate and rid off the spring isolators clamps... also will need a mod on spring stud, needing to remove a bushing mounted on stud.

An 8 1/4 rear axle is alot easier to fix than an 8 3/4 in my opnion. If you decide to switch to an earlier 8 3/4 rear end you will have to change a bunch of parts like Nacho is saying. 73/74 type suspension was specifically tuned for radial tires. Thats why there are all these rubber isolators on top and below the leafsprings. If you have an oval front rubber bushing on your front leafspring attach points than your car is set up for radial tire suspension. I personally would stay with this type of suspension setup but that is up to you.

[Gabmando]

I bought a set of springs from The Paddock that supposedly should fit up to 73 and 74 also but I think that stud in the middle of the spring is much shorter than what is on my 73 Charger Rallye (340 CID, 4 speed, 8.75 rear). Maybe by an inch give or take. I think the bushing is different too but not sure. I can change the bushing if i need to but how about that stud. Can it be bought somehwere seperatelyand changed? If it is too much of a hassle i will keep these springs for my other Charger which is a 72 model.