05 Ford 14bff build question

[Scribbles]

Needing help from someone who’s built a 14b before, my buddy had an ‘05 Ford axle built by a mutual friend. We were looking at it tonight it’s installed in the E350 but has not been driven and the pinion has a small amount of up/down play at the yoke. This is not in addition to the gear play, from the reading and searching I did on here and some ford forums I’m led to believe it should not have any play.
Is this correct? If it is should we pop the axles out and check for rotational drag and if none just torque the pinion nut, or should he obtain another crush sleeve and start over in that department?

 

[Bent77]

If it’s a Ford, it’s most likely a Sterling FF

you could try crushing the sleeve. Some guys just suck at it. But if that’s not what’s wrong with it, you can trash the gear set later

I’d pull the cover and start taking a peek first

 

[Scribbles]

I’m guessing he didn’t crush the sleeve correctly, Nick (the owner) has been into it and looked at it and nothing looks off. Is there a starting area for torque on the pinion nut or is it just purely looking at the rotational drag?

 

[Bent77]

That would best be answered by someone who’s done a few, maybe @obijuank5

 

[obijuank5]

Doesn't really matter what axle it is, both up and down and in and out play are bad.
Theat means there is no preload on the pinion bearings.

If it were me, I'd remove the pinion support and get it to the bench to see what is causing the pinion to be loose.
Not a bad idea to to the crush sleeve eliminator if you don't have a thundergun impact to crush one.

 

[Scribbles]

We can put a thunder gun on it. Thanks, I’ll keep this updated.