floating & semi floating axles - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Sammy · 04-17-2002, 06:02 PM

On a '90 K series 4 WD whats the difference how can I tell? ( Floating & semi Floating axles) I know this isn't the correct board for this year but it's where all the folks are.. Help?????

Vince M · 04-17-2002, 07:27 PM

I think they stopped putting full floaters in 3/4 ton trucks in the early eighties and went to semi floating. The best I can describe it is that in the center of the rear wheel a full floating rear end will have a large protruding hub with some bolts in the end of it. (Usually eight, well that's what's on mine anyways). These bolts are what retain the axle. Pull the bolts and you can pull the axle out. A semi floating rear does not have these bolts or a protruding hub.
Hope this helps.

------------------
Orlando,FL
72 Chevy 4x4 3/4T CustomCamper w/SB 406

**JIMs70GMC** · 04-17-2002, 08:01 PM

A "full floater" has the weight of the vehicle on a spindle like in front and all the axle does is connect the hub(which rides on the spindle via 2 taper bearings) to the carrier inside the 3rd member(center of rearend). In a semi-floating axle the axle itself is the inner race of the wheel bearings thus not only attaches the wheel to the carrier in the 3rd member but also has the weight of the vehicle on it. In a semi floater the axle is usually retained by a "c" clip in the carrier's side gears. The long and short: full-floating axle is stronger and larger.

I believe full floating axles are still avilable from the factory, but on higher weight rated vehicles. GM does have a semi-floating 14 bolt axle which has a 9.5" ring gear, the full floating 14 bolt axle has a 10.5" ring gear.

------------------
1970 GMC K25 Custom
Chesapeake, VA
My 70 GMCor Webshots http://community.webshots.com/user/70gmc

Sammy · 04-17-2002, 10:13 PM

The guy is ordering parts from Korea..from the states..claims they make the two types (so says the parts guy)now to figure out how to tell the difference to get the right stuff....Thanks for your responses so far...

O'l Buck · 04-18-2002, 12:14 AM

If they have a description of the axle shaft in the book, or a pic, the full floater will have a large flat surface on the outer end with bolt holes in it, the semi floater will just be blunt, kind of round on the end and requires the "c" clips inside as previously mentioned.

------------------
Ol' Buck: '72 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 shortbox stepside 350/350auto on '84
ralleys and 31/10.5s

Angel girl: 67 Cutlass convertible
330, 3spd stick

Greener: 90 GMC Jimmy
350/auto
Chad Stephens
Orleans,NE

no name yet: 72 442 under serious construction

Duallie · 04-18-2002, 10:12 PM

The full-float 14-bolt axle has 6 bolts around the pinion at the front of the housing; the semi-float 14-bolt axle has NO bolts around the pinion.
If it'll help, the semi-float has a 9.5" ring gear while the full-float has a 10.5".

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Just as if I knew what I was doin'

*Fast68Chevy* · 04-19-2002, 11:20 AM

Sammy.,

if you search for 10.5 9.5 14 bolt keywords on web search engine such as http://www.google.com you can find all kinds of info pics and detail on these two 14 bolt axles.

if its a 1/2 ton 4x4 after 1980 then its gonna most likely be a 14 bolt SF
81-up 3/4 ton most always got the light duty axle and 4.10 ratio and sometimes 3.42

i emailed you pics of both, im gonna find my pics to show you of the differential covers

ok your email is full, it wont accept any new messages..
------------------
Randy- Lincoln, IL

r68c30@hotmail.com
-71 C-10 350/CH465/3.07, assemble it, yeah right, that'll happen in this world,(not)
-84 Z28 Camaro 5.0L 700R4, 3.73, beater, paid way too much for it like an idiot,,
-84 Firebird SE 2.8L T-5, rod knocking, dammit,,
-82 Firebird 350 4bolt (TBL)/TH350, not running, dammit...
buy/sell/hoard/trade most any GM vehicle parts of any kind
-parting out: '81 Cutlass Supreme Brougham
*Paint is overrated
© RSS Enterprises 2000

[This message has been edited by Fast68Chevy (edited April 19, 2002).]

[This message has been edited by Fast68Chevy (edited April 19, 2002).]

04-17-2002, 06:02 PM	#1
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	floating & semi floating axles On a '90 K series 4 WD whats the difference how can I tell? ( Floating & semi Floating axles) I know this isn't the correct board for this year but it's where all the folks are.. Help????? __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

04-17-2002, 07:27 PM	#2
Vince M Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,076	I think they stopped putting full floaters in 3/4 ton trucks in the early eighties and went to semi floating. The best I can describe it is that in the center of the rear wheel a full floating rear end will have a large protruding hub with some bolts in the end of it. (Usually eight, well that's what's on mine anyways). These bolts are what retain the axle. Pull the bolts and you can pull the axle out. A semi floating rear does not have these bolts or a protruding hub. Hope this helps. ------------------ Orlando,FL 72 Chevy 4x4 3/4T CustomCamper w/SB 406 __________________ ............................................................ 68 Chevy CST SWB w/LS1, carb & 700r4. Golden Anniversary clone with a few improvements.

04-17-2002, 08:01 PM	#3
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	A "full floater" has the weight of the vehicle on a spindle like in front and all the axle does is connect the hub(which rides on the spindle via 2 taper bearings) to the carrier inside the 3rd member(center of rearend). In a semi-floating axle the axle itself is the inner race of the wheel bearings thus not only attaches the wheel to the carrier in the 3rd member but also has the weight of the vehicle on it. In a semi floater the axle is usually retained by a "c" clip in the carrier's side gears. The long and short: full-floating axle is stronger and larger. I believe full floating axles are still avilable from the factory, but on higher weight rated vehicles. GM does have a semi-floating 14 bolt axle which has a 9.5" ring gear, the full floating 14 bolt axle has a 10.5" ring gear. ------------------ 1970 GMC K25 Custom Chesapeake, VA My 70 GMCor Webshots http://community.webshots.com/user/70gmc __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

04-17-2002, 10:13 PM	#4
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	The guy is ordering parts from Korea..from the states..claims they make the two types (so says the parts guy)now to figure out how to tell the difference to get the right stuff....Thanks for your responses so far... __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

04-18-2002, 12:14 AM	#5
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	If they have a description of the axle shaft in the book, or a pic, the full floater will have a large flat surface on the outer end with bolt holes in it, the semi floater will just be blunt, kind of round on the end and requires the "c" clips inside as previously mentioned. ------------------ Ol' Buck: '72 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 shortbox stepside 350/350auto on '84 ralleys and 31/10.5s Angel girl: 67 Cutlass convertible 330, 3spd stick Greener: 90 GMC Jimmy 350/auto Chad Stephens Orleans,NE no name yet: 72 442 under serious construction __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

04-18-2002, 10:12 PM	#6
Duallie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Nikiski, Alaska Posts: 477	The full-float 14-bolt axle has 6 bolts around the pinion at the front of the housing; the semi-float 14-bolt axle has NO bolts around the pinion. If it'll help, the semi-float has a 9.5" ring gear while the full-float has a 10.5". ------------------ Just as if I knew what I was doin' __________________ Just as if I knew what I was doin'

04-19-2002, 11:20 AM	#7
Fast68Chevy Account Suspended Join Date: May 2000 Location: IL Posts: 0	Sammy., if you search for 10.5 9.5 14 bolt keywords on web search engine such as http://www.google.com you can find all kinds of info pics and detail on these two 14 bolt axles. if its a 1/2 ton 4x4 after 1980 then its gonna most likely be a 14 bolt SF 81-up 3/4 ton most always got the light duty axle and 4.10 ratio and sometimes 3.42 i emailed you pics of both, im gonna find my pics to show you of the differential covers ok your email is full, it wont accept any new messages.. ------------------ Randy- Lincoln, IL r68c30@hotmail.com -71 C-10 350/CH465/3.07, assemble it, yeah right, that'll happen in this world,(not) -84 Z28 Camaro 5.0L 700R4, 3.73, beater, paid way too much for it like an idiot,, -84 Firebird SE 2.8L T-5, rod knocking, dammit,, -82 Firebird 350 4bolt (TBL)/TH350, not running, dammit... buy/sell/hoard/trade most any GM vehicle parts of any kind -parting out: '81 Cutlass Supreme Brougham *Paint is overrated © RSS Enterprises 2000 [This message has been edited by Fast68Chevy (edited April 19, 2002).] [This message has been edited by Fast68Chevy (edited April 19, 2002).]



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