1/8" axle end play after replacing bearings???

[88-AMC-Eagle]

Rear axle in my 87 Eagle was making noise so I removed both axle shafts, installed new bearings, bearing cups, inner & outer seals. Turns out one of the old bearing cups had a defect and was causing the noise.

I didn't check the rear axle end play before I took everything apart. I'm not sure what the end play is now but it feels tike an 1/8 inch. Not knowing much about axles I put the tires on a took it for a test drive. Sometimes when I brake, especially at higher speed the rear end will vibrate.

Now what I don't understand is how did the axle end play change? I didn't have this vibrating problem before. What did I do wrong? What I do know is this is a model 15 rear axle and the end play should be .006 inch.

Also I should mention there is and was a clunk sometimes when I stop at low speeds and a clunk when I accelerate from a stop. I was thinking this is most likely the rear axle. Somehow it doesn't feel like the transmission.                 

[carnuck]

pinion bearing?