Driver side rear axle too long?

[Gtboonstra]

First time poster… I have a 73 U15 that I inherited from my dad when he passed away in 2019. I believe the rear axle is the stock large bearing with 11” X 1 3/4" brake shoes/drums.
I’ve been putzing around town for a year or 2 and haven’t had any major issues with braking. Recently, I noticed the master cylinder was leaking so I replaced it and figured I’d replace shoes and drums while I was at it. When I took off the rear driver side shoe, I noticed there was a distinct ridge on the inside of the shoe about 1/8” where it wasn’t contacting the drum. After I reinstalled new drums and shoes I notice that the drum isn’t getting as close to the backing plate as the one on the passenger side, leaving a gap of about 1/8” between the drum and the backing plate…
So my question is… is this normal? If not, It appears that the half axle on the driver side might be a little too long? Is this something I should be concerned with seeing as I haven’t had any noticeable issues with braking? I haven’t pushed her hard, but I also haven’t had any noticeable issues with rear diff that I’m aware of.
Would love to hear thoughts from those more experienced than myself.
Thank you!

 

[tbratz]

Pull the axle and check the bearing. Perhaps the bearing isn't pressed on the axle all the way and this is causing the axle to stick a little further out than it is supposed to. This in turn could be causing the drum to sit further away from the backing plate.

 

[Viperwolf1]

It could also be the wrong axle. It might be a '74-'75 medium duty axle. The difference is going to be seen in the distance between the bearing and the axle flange. You could compare that measurement to the other side.

 

[joshua]

It could also be the wrong axle. It might be a '74-'75 medium duty axle. The difference is going to be seen in the distance between the bearing and the axle flange. You could compare that measurement to the other side.

I thought the rear had to different length axles? Must be a different rear end I read that about

 

[Viperwolf1]

They are different lengths from side to side, but the brake offset should be the same.

 

[joshua]

I c. I thought you meant overall length. Makes sense now.

 

[Viperwolf1]

Here's a little chart to help see the differences. Light duty is '66-'75, small bearing, 10" brake axle. Medium duty is '74-'75 only, big bearing, 10" brake axle. Heavy duty is '66-'75, big bearing, 11" brake axle. '76-'77 is like heavy duty except with wider brakes. The OP has the heavy duty axle.

 

[Gtboonstra]

Here's a little chart to help see the differences. Light duty is '66-'75, small bearing, 10" brake axle. Medium duty is '74-'75 only, big bearing, 10" brake axle. Heavy duty is '66-'75, big bearing, 11" brake axle. '76-'77 is like heavy duty except with wider brakes. The OP has the heavy duty axle.

Very helpful! Thank you!