What do I do here~ rear axle?

[Denee007]

Hi~ I mentioned this problem on this link about the parking brake, but I went ahead and pulled off the backing plate of the axle. I've never driven the truck except down the street, but wasn't listening for any noise. This looks bad, right?
Before I buy the parts for my parking brake, I need to make a decision and ya'll have to help me make a decision please. Do I have this axle overhauled or do I look for another axle? or is it useable?
dne'

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577019

[Indian113]

The ring gear and pinion can be replaced. But sometimes it might be cheaper to put a used rear end from a car in it. The cost to replace it plus labor because it's not a easy job as you have to check and set up lash could run you 3-500 dollars.

[mr48chev]

Someone before you may have driven it in some deep water and got water in the rear end or if it sat in one spot for years the gear oil may have drained off those gears enough so that they were exposed to the air.

You could just flush it out and fill it with new gear oil and run it and see what transpires. Worse case it starts howling and you have to replace or repair it. If you were planning on upgrading and or changing to a 5 lug rear now is the time to do it though.

[Denee007]

It was a 5 lug~ I don't want to take a chance on this axle. I'd rather shop for something else, but I could use some advice on what rear axles I can install?

I found this on CL?

http://houston.craigslist.org/pts/3719081583.html

[Indian113]

If you go looking for a new rear end measure the one you have from Backing plate to Backing plate and try to keep close to the same size. What did your wheel studs measure? 5x5 or 5x4.75 ? If they measured 5x5 it's a truck or large GM if it's 4.75 it's a car rear end. A trick around her is to use the Extreme S10 Posi Unit with disc brakes. You can stuff some serious tire under fender well. because they are narrower than what you have.

[Denee007]

The rear axle is 5x 5 (larger studs) and the front is 5 x 4.5 (smaller studs) Obviously I have same design wheels, but with different lug patterns.

Can you explain a little more about the S10 extreme posi unit? what does it take to make it fit my application?
thank you!
dne'

[Denee007]

My axle from backing plate to backing plate is 57", but how do I measure for an axle with disc brake?

[G&R's57GMC]

Denee,

The Craigs list one is too wide for your TF, The S-10 is too narrow.

What you would be looking for is from a Nova or 3rd gen Camero. Its in the ball park on width and has the 5 on 4 3/4" bolt pattern.

Are you sure you have a 5" bolt circle ?

[Denee007]

I took a measuring tape and from stud to stud is 5" with larger studs than on the front. The front hub is 4.5", I can't swap the front wheels to the back cause they are different sizes.

[Denee007]

I don't have much of a clue if this is a 3rd generation. What will be involved in installing a rear axle like this? cutting and re-welding/ perches?? I can do that. I guess my driveshaft that I had made isn't going to work?

1) rear posi performance axle with 3.42 disk to disc
Price 150 complete
http://houston.craigslist.org/pts/3672890144.html

[Speedbumpauto]

The bolt circle is the diameter of the circle, not the distance from stud to stud. On a 5 lug, you have to measure from the center of one stud to the place directly across from it inbetween two studs. Sometimes tough to do. A 5 1/2 bolt circle is usually around 5" from stud to stud and if you say the studs are bigger than the front, that rear could be an 8.8 from a Ford truck or expedition/Bronco, etc. They are 1/2 studs on a 5.5 bolt circle. It appears the fronts are GM passenger car which are 7/16 studs on a 4 3/4 bolt circle, usually around 4.5" from stud to stud. Get a stainless brush and see if you can brush that rust off. If you can, that rear could be serviceable for quite some time. Clean and brush/scotchbrite as much as you can, spray it down with brake clean, let it dry and fill it with good lube. It will start to howl and/or make noise way before it fails....if it does.

[Denee007]

OK, on the parking cable thread, some folks seem to think my rear axle is ok, so I'm going ahead with the original plan; put new grease, finish my parking brake cables, and be done with it!
Appreciate all the response as always!
dne'

[Clarance J]

Hello Denee, just a thought. Do you know the ratio? It might be good to know in the future for whatever reason comes up. Wipe the ring gear down when you clean it. The ratio should be stamped on the edge. It should tell you the teeth number on the ring and on the pinion. Easy to do while the cover is off. Let us know. Or you could count the teeth on each.

[Denee007]

oh, yes, that's a good idea Earl! I'm going to get a gasket, grease(90 wt.), and a vent hose and maybe go ahead and replace the brake lines(they're looking rather shabby). That should take up a good part of the day!

Originally Posted by Clarance J

Hello Denee, just a thought. Do you know the ratio? It might be good to know in the future for whatever reason comes up. Wipe the ring gear down when you clean it. The ratio should be stamped on the edge. It should tell you the teeth number on the ring and on the pinion. Easy to do while the cover is off. Let us know. Or you could count the teeth on each.

[solidaxel]

I have had luck with this process on old used standard transmissions and rear ends in the past, it might be worth a try.

After you clean and scrub the gears apply a liberal amount of GOOD Extreme Pressure or Molly grease to all the gears.

Run the truck on jacks for a few cycles heat and cool, when you get it on the road "brake it in gently" for as many miles as you can stand it !!!

[G&R's57GMC]

Denee,
After doing the above break in Change the gear oil and add a package of Ford Friction modifier (for their locking rear axle ) Its smelly stuff. You get it at the Ford dealer parts dept.

[G&R's57GMC]

Denee,
You should have a spare tire for those longer trips.
If in fact you have a 4.5" and 4.75" bolt circle on your axles, the aftermarket has you covered with a dual pattern wheel. It has 8 holes with both patterns and come in a bunch of styles.

[G&R's57GMC]

Denee,
Wheel Vintiques makes a couple of wheels in dual pattern 4.5"/4.75" and 5"/5.5" you can get them from Summit Racing or Jegs

[Denee007]

I want to apologize, I have two threads going on, one is the Parking brake, and this one~ right now, this is more important than the parking brake.

Now that's clever! thank you!

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

Denee,
Wheel Vintiques makes a couple of wheels in dual pattern 4.5"/4.75" and 5"/5.5" you can get them from Summit Racing or Jegs

I'm still thinking here~ I'm trying to contact a guy that has a 3rd generation Camaro rear axle for 150, then there's another one for 350.oo (both have disc and positrac). I'm in no hurry and would rather replace this axle now vs later. But the Camaro axle sounds doable. So, I'm going to wait and look at my options. I will be taking trips to see my daughter and granddaughter in Palacious (2 hour trip), and want reliability.
So, please bear with me, and if you have any suggestions on a rear axle choice~ I'd appreciate it!

update: I spoke with a man (Sylvester) of which I bought the 73 Impala from. He goes out through the countryside looking for classic cars, brings them to his shop, restores them and stores them in his storage. He has many many classics! However, he says he has a Ford rear axle he's going to check out for me. He says the Ford axle would be a better choice vs a gm. He says he'll call me this evening with the specs and for 100 bucks it's mine, Plus I'd get to see him again and see what they're working on!


That's Sylvester putting gas in the 73 Impala that I got my engine/trans from. If I go there tomorrow, I'll get some pics, I think ya'll will be impressed.

[98layinframe]

Id flush it out with tons of spray can brake cleaner, let it dry, then install a new gasket tighten the cover down then fill her up and run it.

If your really set on replacing it, I'd look for a 4x4 98+ s10 blazer rearend. They are 58-59" wide, come in locker and open diff options and already have disk brakes. Also the bolt pattern is the smaller 4.75" size which soundz like it will match your front suspension.
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[OrrieG]

If the Ford is a 9" with replacable pumpkin, that is a big bonus, you could have two set up, one for long road trips, one for stoplight/track use.

[_Ogre]

i run a 3rd gen 3.27 posi in truk and the wheel vintiques rims that g&r posted
it is the right width for tf trucks
i cut off everything and welded on new spring perches and new wheel bearings
i have no parking brake at this time so i can't tell you how it works

i'd clean out your rearend with mineral spirits, fill it and run it
i would change the wheel bearings
if it gives you problems then swap it out
imo, i wouldn't bother with the parking brake until you see if this one is going to work
unless you need it for an inspection

[Denee007]

Okeedokie, I removed the rear end, didn't take long. I took some brake cleaner as 98layinframe said, re-examined the gears. I guess maybe it's not as bad, just the spider gears look horrible and there is NO play between the ring and pinion. Is that not good? I turn the yoke and the gears move immediately either direction.
Is varsol the same as mineral spirits? at least there were no chunks of metal or filings. My husband(Gary) looked at it (what does he know), that it doesn't look as bad as I described.

I needed an excuse to pull the axle to clean it and replace the brake lines I guess I'll call Sylvester and cancel getting the other axle. Maybe I just wanted another axle, that's what it was!




This is probably the worst of it.


I keep telling you guys, yall need a Little Mule!

[Daze57]

aint real crazy bout dem spider gears - if removed and cleaned up you be ok - but if it has pitting i would replace them - then run it

[Speedbumpauto]

By the way, that's a 3.07 rear ratio. 43(ring gear) divided by 14(pinion). Pretty tall gear and very common in GM trucks.