1983 C30 rear end is toast, need help

[hollywood_35]

Last summer I bought a 1983 3+3 C30 to steal the 454 and SM465 for my 81 shortbox. I didn't end up using it, but started to slowly fix the C30 instead. I just recently rebuilt the quadrajet, got it running, and went to hook up the driveshaft. It's been disconnected since I bought it. Well the pinion on the rear end is junk. It moves in and out a lot and has a ton of play. I was wondering if anyone has some resources or schematics to help me get this thing rebuilt. I know the proper thing to do would be to take it to a driveline shop to get it fixed up, but this truck is pretty much worthless at this point so I might as well just do it myself.

[hollywood_35]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmOQiZXsm3w

[wilkin250r]

Setting up a rear differential is deceptively difficult.

With relatively few components, it seems simple on the surface. You've got a pinion gear and bearings, a ring gear and bolts, the differential housing and spider gears, and a few shims. How hard can 4 moving parts really be, right?

The problem is that ALL your power moves through those few components. So the setup and clearances to fit everything together have to be SO exact, it really is probably best left to a professional.

Yes, you could attempt to do it yourself. But learning to rebuild an axle by reading tutorials and watching videos will eat six hours at least, then another six in wrench time when you actually start rebuilding your own (less with practice, but this is your first), $250 for gears, plus another $200 for a rebuild kit, and that's assuming everything else is in perfect shape, and add nearly $200 for specialty tools like an inch-lb torque wrench, micrometer and magnetic base, or more expensive if you go with a case-spreader, plus you'll need a hydraulic press for the pinion bearing.

So rebuilding your axle looks to be a minimum 12hrs, and $700, but can easily run higher depending on how much equipment you have access to, or damage inside the axle itself.

Or you can send it to a professional.

[hollywood_35]

Originally Posted by wilkin250r

Setting up a rear differential is deceptively difficult.

With relatively few components, it seems simple on the surface. You've got a pinion gear and bearings, a ring gear and bolts, the differential housing and spider gears, and a few shims. How hard can 4 moving parts really be, right?

The problem is that ALL your power moves through those few components. So the setup and clearances to fit everything together have to be SO exact, it really is probably best left to a professional.

Yes, you could attempt to do it yourself. But learning to rebuild an axle by reading tutorials and watching videos will eat six hours at least, then another six in wrench time when you actually start rebuilding your own (less with practice, but this is your first), $250 for gears, plus another $200 for a rebuild kit, and that's assuming everything else is in perfect shape, and add nearly $200 for specialty tools like an inch-lb torque wrench, micrometer and magnetic base, or more expensive if you go with a case-spreader, plus you'll need a hydraulic press for the pinion bearing.

So rebuilding your axle looks to be a minimum 12hrs, and $700, but can easily run higher depending on how much equipment you have access to, or damage inside the axle itself.

Or you can send it to a professional.

I get that a lot. But I don't take my vehicles to shops. I'm a tradesman and a mechanical engineering student who designs, fabricates, and tunes race cars from scratch, so if I can't handle a rear end rebuild on an old pickup I should probably just throw in the towel. I've got all the tools required to do it, I'm just looking for some resources to get the ball rolling on this.

[v30crewcab]

14 bolt rears are dirt simple to work on.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...4b_Gear_Setup/

[obijuan]

find another and swap it in.