Is this normal for Half Shafts?
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 99
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From: Wasilla Alaska
Is this normal for Half Shafts?
Ok, I'm in the middle of my first major project as a vette owner with a suspension rebuild kit (VB&P rocks by the way 
) While I had the trailing arms out I was checking the half shafts and the passenger side slid out of the differential almost by itself... so I thought I'd take the opportunity to clean them both up before I put the trailing arms back. The drivers side is a different story it does not pull free from the differential like the passenger's side did.
Was there something missing from the passenger side that allowed it to pull free like it did? The yoke(?) does not have any signs of damage and slips back into place just as easy.. is there something missing here?? Houston, do we have a problem?
Thanks guys!!
) While I had the trailing arms out I was checking the half shafts and the passenger side slid out of the differential almost by itself... so I thought I'd take the opportunity to clean them both up before I put the trailing arms back. The drivers side is a different story it does not pull free from the differential like the passenger's side did. Was there something missing from the passenger side that allowed it to pull free like it did? The yoke(?) does not have any signs of damage and slips back into place just as easy.. is there something missing here?? Houston, do we have a problem?
Thanks guys!!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 3
From: Halifax, NS, Canada
Ok, I'm in the middle of my first major project as a vette owner with a suspension rebuild kit (VB&P rocks by the way ) While I had the trailing arms out I was checking the half shafts and the passenger side slid out of the differential almost by itself... so I thought I'd take the opportunity to clean them both up before I put the trailing arms back. The drivers side is a different story it does not pull free from the differential like the passenger's side did.
Was there something missing from the passenger side that allowed it to pull free like it did? The yoke(?) does not have any signs of damage and slips back into place just as easy.. is there something missing here?? Houston, do we have a problem?
Thanks guys!!
) While I had the trailing arms out I was checking the half shafts and the passenger side slid out of the differential almost by itself... so I thought I'd take the opportunity to clean them both up before I put the trailing arms back. The drivers side is a different story it does not pull free from the differential like the passenger's side did. Was there something missing from the passenger side that allowed it to pull free like it did? The yoke(?) does not have any signs of damage and slips back into place just as easy.. is there something missing here?? Houston, do we have a problem?
Thanks guys!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
It is not supposed to come out all by itself. It normally is secured with a C-clip inside. Normally they don't even do this with a worn yoke, because it would be mushroomed and thus preventing it from slipping out.
The yoke may only have a limited amount of play. The half shaft also acts as an upper suspension arm.
Check out the differential post of GTR1999 (Gary) or give him a PM. He is the expert on them here and a good guy.
I guess you're in for a rebuild.
The yoke may only have a limited amount of play. The half shaft also acts as an upper suspension arm.
Check out the differential post of GTR1999 (Gary) or give him a PM. He is the expert on them here and a good guy.
I guess you're in for a rebuild.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
I guess you're in for a rebuild.
As already mentioned, the circlip is either worn off or just fell off.
Look at the pics of the yoke in catalogues and compare to what you have. There must be a groove on the end for the clip. If there is not groove anymore, the yoke is worn off. If there is still a groove, the cirlip fell off.
In both cases, you need to opene up the pumkin rear cover, insert the old yoke and reinstall the circlip or if it is worn, insert a new yoke.
With some luck, nothing else is damaged inside the differencial and all it needs is new oil & additive.
And if one side is so worn, the other side will be very simmilar. Hence, if the groove is missing, buy a set ( 2 each ) yokes and circlips.
Good luck. Günther
I guess you're in for a rebuild.
As already mentioned, the circlip is either worn off or just fell off.
Look at the pics of the yoke in catalogues and compare to what you have. There must be a groove on the end for the clip. If there is not groove anymore, the yoke is worn off. If there is still a groove, the cirlip fell off.
In both cases, you need to opene up the pumkin rear cover, insert the old yoke and reinstall the circlip or if it is worn, insert a new yoke.
With some luck, nothing else is damaged inside the differencial and all it needs is new oil & additive.
And if one side is so worn, the other side will be very simmilar. Hence, if the groove is missing, buy a set ( 2 each ) yokes and circlips.
Good luck. Günther
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 99
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From: Wasilla Alaska
Thanks for all the feedback! Sounds like I have something else to add to the 'while your at it' list 
Time to brush up on differential rebuilds, check those posts by GTR1999 and see if this is something I should attempt myself. For anyone whose already tackled a rebuild, is this something a 'yank-n-replace' mechanic like me should try? Who has good rebuild kits?
I'll also try to get some pictures of the yoke for a reference...
Thanks again guys!
Time to brush up on differential rebuilds, check those posts by GTR1999 and see if this is something I should attempt myself. For anyone whose already tackled a rebuild, is this something a 'yank-n-replace' mechanic like me should try? Who has good rebuild kits?
I'll also try to get some pictures of the yoke for a reference...
Thanks again guys!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
You might have a replacement yolk that has no circlip to hold it in. The driver side yolk on my diff slides right out but it doesn't have any damage/wear on the end. There is evidence that the diff has been opened up so the yolk was probably replaced with one that was supposed to have a groove machined into it. You still need to get it fixed because if there is any play in the trailing arm you could experience some very funky handling issues.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
Thanks for all the feedback! Sounds like I have something else to add to the 'while your at it' list
Time to brush up on differential rebuilds, check those posts by GTR1999 and see if this is something I should attempt myself. For anyone whose already tackled a rebuild, is this something a 'yank-n-replace' mechanic like me should try? Who has good rebuild kits?
I'll also try to get some pictures of the yoke for a reference...
Thanks again guys!
Time to brush up on differential rebuilds, check those posts by GTR1999 and see if this is something I should attempt myself. For anyone whose already tackled a rebuild, is this something a 'yank-n-replace' mechanic like me should try? Who has good rebuild kits?
I'll also try to get some pictures of the yoke for a reference...
Thanks again guys!
My advice is to rebuild it completly. If you see how difficult it is to remove the pumpkin alone, it is better serviced now than later.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
The advise for a rebuilt is surely good, but I know how someone feels about this, specially because this wasn't planed.
If you remove the differencial's cover ( also some work because the aft spring must be removed ) and look inside, you can see what exactly is required. No debris, no damage etc might not require a complete rebuilt, but just a new yoke inserted and circlip installed. This can be done by just about everybody who manages to get the differncial cover removed.
Lets see the pics of your yoke and also inside of the differncial once it is open.
Günther
The advise for a rebuilt is surely good, but I know how someone feels about this, specially because this wasn't planed.
If you remove the differencial's cover ( also some work because the aft spring must be removed ) and look inside, you can see what exactly is required. No debris, no damage etc might not require a complete rebuilt, but just a new yoke inserted and circlip installed. This can be done by just about everybody who manages to get the differncial cover removed.
Lets see the pics of your yoke and also inside of the differncial once it is open.
Günther
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