Strange 12 bolt with Ford large tapered bearings (set 20) inside the Strange small GM housing end (oversized 3.150" ID).

Pulled an axle and notice they used two thin shims between bearing cap and brakes backing plate. Other side is still assembled so I checked axle end play and it was a lot (0.053 inch).

1. Why so much end play? Do you suppose the locking ring slipped on the shaft?
2. Why the shims? Fine tuning brakes backspacing?
3. And where the heck can I buy those shims? It's a "C" shape that slips over the axle shaft and marries up to the bearing outer seal cap.

 

Nevermind. I paid closer attention while taking things apart on the other side and saw the shims were on the outside of the brake bracket. The spacers fill an indention in the bracket so that the retainer clip has a fully flat surface to ride on. These are 1LE brackets for a 3rd gen.