Changing Rear Diff. How HARD??? 77 Vette
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
are you just swapping one for another or rebuilding yours. Just swapping I can do mine in under two hours, but I have zippers on it by now. I have done it many times. You will run into frozen or rusted bolts so the time will increase. I would allow 4 to 5 hours for just a swap. A rebuild will take days.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,164
Likes: 3,967
From: Connecticut, USA
1-1 swap vs rebuilding yours?
If it hasn't been out since the day it rolled off the line then you may have some rust seized parts to deal with. If it comes apart ok then 2 hrs is about right.
If it hasn't been out since the day it rolled off the line then you may have some rust seized parts to deal with. If it comes apart ok then 2 hrs is about right.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,164
Likes: 3,967
From: Connecticut, USA
1-Remove the exhaust
2-I remove the spare tire compartment
3-Rear spring but it can be dropped with the diff. I like it out of the way and 40 lbs lighter.
4- Mark the camber position
5- pull 1/2 shafts out of the way
6-pull strut rods
7-disconnect the pinion joint
8- place a jack under the diff about 1/2" below it
9 remove the cross member bolts from the frame
10 - Use a long bar to pop the cross member off the frame
11- lower the diff and cross member down and out
There are some short cuts to do this as well but that is how I do it.
Suggestion: if you have a rebuild unit fine but it you're swapping in a used one you might want to check it out first. Seals, yoke endplay, posi case, backlash are all things I'd look at.
2-I remove the spare tire compartment
3-Rear spring but it can be dropped with the diff. I like it out of the way and 40 lbs lighter.
4- Mark the camber position
5- pull 1/2 shafts out of the way
6-pull strut rods
7-disconnect the pinion joint
8- place a jack under the diff about 1/2" below it
9 remove the cross member bolts from the frame
10 - Use a long bar to pop the cross member off the frame
11- lower the diff and cross member down and out
There are some short cuts to do this as well but that is how I do it.
Suggestion: if you have a rebuild unit fine but it you're swapping in a used one you might want to check it out first. Seals, yoke endplay, posi case, backlash are all things I'd look at.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 548
Likes: 1
From: Victoria VA
I am replacing it with a rebuilt unit new 3.70 ring and pinion with carbon fiber clutch pack and plate set, HD springs set, new yoke , GM stub axles, HD rear cover, Timken bearings, I'm going to use Mobil 1 with GM additive.
Is there a good way to check rear wheel bearings while I do this? The car has 51000 miles.
Thanks
Is there a good way to check rear wheel bearings while I do this? The car has 51000 miles.
Thanks
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