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Differential tight/problems?

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Old May 10, 2015 | 09:34 PM
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Default Differential tight/problems?
I have a 76 corvette. I have the engine and transmission disconnected. I can barely turn the rear wheels by hand or push the car by myself. I believe that it is my differential that is really tight. Does anybody know why this is happening and if there any solutions? Also is this bad for the car (extra wear/ hurt mpg/ hurt performance)?

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Don
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Old May 10, 2015 | 10:00 PM
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Brakes dragging (don't forget the e-brake) is more likely. If the diff is that seized up it would be howling.
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Old May 10, 2015 | 10:19 PM
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My e-brakes are removed. It didnt seem to make a howling the last time that I drove the car. Could it be the rear bearings?
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Old May 10, 2015 | 10:51 PM
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Yes, something is not right. On my 70 frame build up, I can easily turn the rear wheels by hand...This causes rotation in the half shafts and the differential and rotation with the drive shaft.
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Old May 10, 2015 | 10:58 PM
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Yes I agree something has to be wrong. When I bought the car I was told that the original differential was broken and that he replaced it with a 3:70 differential. Are there any adjustments that can be made on the differential?
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Old May 11, 2015 | 08:57 AM
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There are plenty of adjustments for the gearset and bearings. But if it was done wrong when the diff was built the parts are ruined. For instance, you can over tighten the pinion nut which will make the pinion bearings bind. If that happened the bearings are toast and need to be replaced.
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Old May 11, 2015 | 01:13 PM
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The axle halfs are disconnected?
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Old May 11, 2015 | 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by don3605
...My e-brakes are removed...
Does that include the shoes? Ebrake shoes could be holding the rears.
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Old May 11, 2015 | 08:57 PM
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I just disconnected the axle halfs. The differential spins very freely. I have the brakes all disconnected. It must be the rear wheel bearings. Would I be able to replace these in my garage?
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Old May 11, 2015 | 09:44 PM
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Rear wheel bearings are not like the fronts. It is possible to do yourself but unless you're ok with a learning curve and have access to a press you may want to farm it out.
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Old May 11, 2015 | 09:45 PM
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My e-brake shoes were stuck so tight onto the hub that the left rear wouldnt turn when it was pulled onto the flatbed trailer. Ask me how fun it was to get the rotor off later.
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