Rear Noisy

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Mar 3, 2022 | 05:59 PM

Steve Shauger

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7th Gear

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Rear Noisy

My 1969 Corvette rear gears are noisy. The car is located in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. I may change the fluid, but the noise is most likely due to the ring/pinion gears were not properly shimmed. Is anyone familiar with reputable repair shops that can handle setting/shimming gear assemblies up. I recently purchased the car so I don't know how long this issue existed. I'm guessing I will need new gears because the improper alignment may have caused a wear pattern in the gears.

Mar 3, 2022 | 10:43 PM

GTR1999

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From: Connecticut, USA

I'm sure there are differential shops in your area, now how they approach the rebuild and charge you may open your eyes. It is not uncommon to slap a differential together to sell the car, it's been happening since cars were sold. I have a 76 diff here, pretty much the same story. I pulled the cover to find mismatch gears and a cracked posi case. That happened before the present owner bought the car. If it's within your ability and health to remove the diff for a home repair you may be better off. I can coach you on what to look for. If that's not an option, good luck and ask a lot of questions, like who is actually doing the work - your shop or are they just building a crappy one online and installing it? Also keep in mind the last USA manufacturer of diff gears closed down last year, only imported gears sold new today.

Mar 3, 2022 | 11:18 PM

69L88

Melting Slicks

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From: Apple Valley, MN

Can you be more specific about what “noisy” is? Whining? Chattering? Highway speeds or low speeds? Have you checked the fluid level?

Mar 4, 2022 | 01:09 PM

Steve Shauger

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7th Gear

Joined: Mar 2021

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The whining noise occurs at both low and high speed, but louder as speed increases. It occurs when accelerating or decelerating. It quiets down when not applying a load to the gears (coasting). I am pretty familiar with 12 bolt rear axle assemblies and have broken and rebuilt a few. The rear is not leaking any fluid and based on receipts the fluid was changed with Valvoline gear lube. I will be back in FL in a week and can verify fluid level then. There is no posi clutch chatter.

Thanks for your replies.....

Mar 4, 2022 | 06:44 PM

GTR1999

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From: Connecticut, USA

If you can rebuild a 12 bolt, you can do the vette 10 bolt. The principle is the same, the shimming and lash the same, the same bearings used in the corvette as the 12 bolt. Sounds like you need new gears and a rebuild. You have options doing that, all depending on what level of work and quality you want. If you have an engine stand it will make working on the diff a lot easier than doing a 12 bolt in the car or on jack stands.

Mar 9, 2022 | 06:40 PM

Steve Shauger

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7th Gear

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I appreciate your feedback. I have used Yukon gears with good results. The car is not located at my home where I am equipped to di this type of work. I have minimal tools here, so may look for a local shop to assist in the removal and send the assembly to a rebuilder in NY.

Mar 9, 2022 | 07:38 PM

GTR1999

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From: Connecticut, USA

I don't have a lot of faith in imported gears ...yet. I will be testing some Motive soon and see how they dial in. I have used Yukon but it was about 15 years ago. Nothing special about them, they dialed in ok that I recall and never heard back but US Gear were and are better in my opinion. Not to sound negative, just from experience, good luck finding a shop. Again a lot depends on the level of build and quality you want.