Hello members, I removed my complete rear end this weekend for total restoration. I removed the back cover (diff) and had a look inside. Looks pretty good actually. (72 LT-1 with 133K 4spd). I feel just a very, very slight play when I turn the input and hold the output couplings. question...what should I be looking for?? and what should I do? There is no leaking? Please advise, and thanks!!! Don

 

Start by checking the play on the side yokes....in and out. Should not be much play.

 

Thanks Carguy4sure, I also took a look at your phots's, Very nice!!! Wow! Don

 

ttt...

 

72 rear end w/133k miles. Well that could go many more if it was taken care of. SInce you have the cover off check the oil for metal rotate the carrier and look at the pin hole and the carrier for cracks and slop in the hole. Look at the rear cover for broken ears and cracked mounting holes. Look at the teeth of the ring and pinion for wear,chips, heat damage. Check th ering gear bolts sometimes they back out. Check the sdie yoke end play if you have over .040" replace them with hardened tip rebuilt yokes.If you decide to pull the carrier to further inspect stamp the bearing caps like you would an engine man bearing cap. The carrier is preloaded so it should not just come out,if you put a 9/16" box wrench on one of the ring gear box and rotate the pinion the carrier will walk out of the housing. The metal shims should be kept with the bearing cap they came off of. Chance of getting them back are good you'll break them. The kits use steel shims to replace these. With the carrier out you can get to the posi clutches and 72 had lousy clutches. It all depends on how far you want to go with it. If you search here there is a paper I wrote on rebuilding the whole thing with some mods to make it better then stock- IMO. If it were me I'd go through the whole thing.

Good luck, let me know if you need help.

Gary

 

Thanks Gary... I will be in touch. And yes, I do want to completely rebuild diff.