C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

differential rebuild?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 1, 2008 | 08:22 AM
  #1  
AWilson's Avatar
AWilson
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 12
From: Schaumburg (Chicago) Illinois
Default differential rebuild?

I am doing a frame off. My differential seemed to be working just fine when I started this restoration. I have been trying to make up my mind for 2 weeks whether or not I should rebuild it or not. Looks like a good rebuild cost over $1,000! Money for this project is starting to get tight.

Anyway, this morning I realized that I don't have to rebuild it if it isn't that difficult to get out later,,,if I ever need to.

So the question is Is it difficult to pull the differential after the car is back together? Looks to me like it could be done in 2hrs. If so then I'll just change the fluid, paint the case and put it back. Maybe new seals.

Any advice guys?
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2008 | 08:54 AM
  #2  
wombvette's Avatar
wombvette
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Default

Originally Posted by AWilson
I am doing a frame off. My differential seemed to be working just fine when I started this restoration. I have been trying to make up my mind for 2 weeks whether or not I should rebuild it or not. Looks like a good rebuild cost over $1,000! Money for this project is starting to get tight.

Anyway, this morning I realized that I don't have to rebuild it if it isn't that difficult to get out later,,,if I ever need to.

So the question is Is it difficult to pull the differential after the car is back together? Looks to me like it could be done in 2hrs. If so then I'll just change the fluid, paint the case and put it back. Maybe new seals.

Any advice guys?

Gears are designed for infinite use. If there is nothing wrong with it, then leave it alone. Clean it up and change the seals while it is out. Also change the fluid and additive. You are correct, the rear can be easily serviced if it is needed later.
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2008 | 09:13 AM
  #3  
Retro78's Avatar
Retro78
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 7
From: Ontario
Default

Measure the end play on the side yokes. If the play is small...eg .020 or less I would not rebuild it.
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2008 | 09:34 AM
  #4  
Go Vette Go's Avatar
Go Vette Go
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Air Force
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 303
From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
Default

With above advice. Shouldn't take much more then an hour to remove. Biggest issue I had (on all 3) was the crossmember. If you've had that out, the next time should be a piece of cake.

You didn't memtion the mileage but the posi unit in my 76 blew at 131K. I think Bair's does rebuild at $565 plus any additional hard parts.

Yeah - replace the fluids, paint it & put it back.
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2008 | 09:45 AM
  #5  
AWilson's Avatar
AWilson
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 12
From: Schaumburg (Chicago) Illinois
Default Diff. end play .017 and .028

I appreciate the comments. I found a wa y to measure the end play. one side is .017 the other .028. So one is above the .020. But I assume this is a reference? Either way, I'm thinking its a safe bet to move forward and NOT do the rebuild.

Agree/disagree?
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2008 | 09:48 AM
  #6  
AWilson's Avatar
AWilson
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 12
From: Schaumburg (Chicago) Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by vetteman1978
With above advice. Shouldn't take much more then an hour to remove. Biggest issue I had (on all 3) was the crossmember. If you've had that out, the next time should be a piece of cake.

You didn't memtion the mileage but the posi unit in my 76 blew at 131K. I think Bair's does rebuild at $565 plus any additional hard parts.

Yeah - replace the fluids, paint it & put it back.
The cross member is out and new bushings will go in.
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2008 | 10:13 AM
  #7  
L82shark's Avatar
L82shark
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Here is some advice Gary gave me when I was doing mine:

Check the endplay in the yokes. If over .040" remove them to inspect.

With the cover off, use a 90* pr of snap ring pliers and remove the snap rings from the yoke. Pull the yokes out and install the snap rings back. Then measure from the face to the ring should be in the .180-.187 range. If you find it less then .170 I would replace them, but keep in mind that the posi is probably sloppy too so even if you replace the yokes you may still have over .030 endplay. end quote

I ended up replacing the seals and both of my yokes and that cured it.
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2008 | 10:21 AM
  #8  
AWilson's Avatar
AWilson
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 12
From: Schaumburg (Chicago) Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by L82shark
Here is some advice Gary gave me when I was doing mine:

Check the endplay in the yokes. If over .040" remove them to inspect.

With the cover off, use a 90* pr of snap ring pliers and remove the snap rings from the yoke. Pull the yokes out and install the snap rings back. Then measure from the face to the ring should be in the .180-.187 range. If you find it less then .170 I would replace them, but keep in mind that the posi is probably sloppy too so even if you replace the yokes you may still have over .030 endplay. end quote

I ended up replacing the seals and both of my yokes and that cured it.
This seems to be good advice. So this coupled with a e-mail to Gary and I should be ok. I will do a basic inspection and decide from there. Seeing as how Gary says endplay of .050 or less tells me I should be ok as mine is much less.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 1, 2008 | 07:33 PM
  #9  
GTR1999's Avatar
GTR1999
Tech Contributor
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,176
Likes: 3,991
From: Connecticut, USA
Default

If your endplay is what you say then you're ok. The 68 will have the weaker posi case and spiders and the better clutches.
If you had no issues, then pull the cover and clean the posi case. If there are no cracks in the window or side holes,drive it. If you see any cracks pull it out, replace the case and rebuild it.
You can a basic rebuild(little parts beside a master kit included) for $600-$800 from most places, the better jobs are double that easy.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To differential rebuild?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:51 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE