Rear suspension *SNAP*
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
A local corvette shop in Mpls told me he has 20-25 rear diffs (used and rebuilt) on the shelf. From the noises your hearing, you might be better off writing off the rear you have and try to get a good used-inspected rear (~$500) that you can basically plug in and go. So try your local guys and see what they can offer you.
Then it just may be a matter of a few other items to complete your set-up. You might get out of this one for less than a grand.
my .02
Then it just may be a matter of a few other items to complete your set-up. You might get out of this one for less than a grand.
my .02
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 2
From: Lewisburg WV
thegazman
It will be hard to keep this repair as a weekend project. I had a similar problem with my 79 (snap ring missing). The stub axle retainer ring was worm requiring replacing the stub axle. To fix everything right...pull the differential, to replace the snap ring, install new seals and bearing in the differential for the stub axles (you can do this your self), install new heavy duty adjustable strut rods, all new u-joints, check your trailing arm mountings, new shocks, and all new bushings. Getting those shocks bolts out will be a challenge in it's self. I guarantee you this is not a one weekend job, but do it right and your car will be much more enjoyable to drive.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 79
Likes: 1
From: Redmond WA
Hey guys, don't take the weekend thing too seriously, it's a 3 mile comute I can take the bus 
thegazman: I like your plan, sounds like something enjoyable and unexpensive.
I didn't got the "inspected" concept. Isn't it something you can google it and do the "inspection" yourself? Or you neet to be a cerified inspector and pay a state license for it? If it's half price of the job why don't we just use the inspection money and buy the new stuff ?
I have a few weeks of vacation to take and was planing to get new aluminum cylinder heads to fix a mileage problem but might end up rebuilding the rear end to fix a saging problem.
Go figure...
Cheers,
Fábio.
thegazman: I like your plan, sounds like something enjoyable and unexpensive.
I didn't got the "inspected" concept. Isn't it something you can google it and do the "inspection" yourself? Or you neet to be a cerified inspector and pay a state license for it? If it's half price of the job why don't we just use the inspection money and buy the new stuff ?
I have a few weeks of vacation to take and was planing to get new aluminum cylinder heads to fix a mileage problem but might end up rebuilding the rear end to fix a saging problem.
Go figure...Cheers,
Fábio.
Last edited by FabioSan; Dec 21, 2008 at 10:40 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 4
depending on how through your going to get, it took me about 6 months to rebuild my rear end last year. it started out with just replacing a couple bushing to a full blown rebuild. im glad it did too, found out that my wheel bearings could have seized up at any moment.
i may have just gotten lucky, but my snap ring just fell off the yoke and was pulverized into nothing instantly. no damage at all to the gears inside. was 50 cents for the snap ring, 4.99 for the gasket seal, 10 bucks for new diff bolts, 20 for the GM posi additive (two bottles) and i think 15 or so for two bottles of lucas heavy weight diff oil. and a couple bucks for paint.
i may have just gotten lucky, but my snap ring just fell off the yoke and was pulverized into nothing instantly. no damage at all to the gears inside. was 50 cents for the snap ring, 4.99 for the gasket seal, 10 bucks for new diff bolts, 20 for the GM posi additive (two bottles) and i think 15 or so for two bottles of lucas heavy weight diff oil. and a couple bucks for paint.
