Differential rebuild
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
Differential rebuild
Ok. I'm finally breaking down and changing the gear set from the factory 3.08 to a 3.55 set. I have bought the ratech rebuild kit with the seals and bearings. The rear end is perfectly fine other than the right seal is leaking so while I was going to put new seals I thought why not the gear upgrade. The question I have is that not knowing much about positive traction cars I have heard of cluthes in the posi unit. Should I at this time replace them or since there seems to be no current problems let them be? You know "If it ain't broke don't fix it." Or "While I'm in there go ahead and do it."
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
do alot of research, there is alot more to swapping gears than just bolting them on, you will need a correct shim set and dial indicators to set up the gear lash and know what you are doing when setting the crush sleeve. there are different gear contact philosophies out there also. for a newbie it is a major trial and error effort. if you don't set them up right then you will get gear whine and growling at different speeds and different degrees of accelleration and decelleration.
get new hardened tip side yokes, a heavy duty rear end cover, and ujoints back there while it is all apart too. don't forget paint or powdercoat, and a new crossmember bushing set...
see how it snowballs?
good luck..
get new hardened tip side yokes, a heavy duty rear end cover, and ujoints back there while it is all apart too. don't forget paint or powdercoat, and a new crossmember bushing set...
see how it snowballs?
good luck..
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
I think I'll plan on letting a professional actually set everything up, also still wondering what other parts should be purchased? Thanks joewill for the suggestions. I have the aluminum stiffeners that Ecklers sells for the crossmember so should I still do the bushings?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,363
Likes: 429
From: Seattle Area WA
If you are going to have a pro do it, they may want to use their own parts. When it comes to having a Corvette differential built, the best two guys are Mike Dyer in Texas and Gary Ramadei in Connecticut.
Regards
Regards
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
do alot of research, there is alot more to swapping gears than just bolting them on, you will need a correct shim set and dial indicators to set up the gear lash and know what you are doing when setting the crush sleeve. there are different gear contact philosophies out there also. for a newbie it is a major trial and error effort. if you don't set them up right then you will get gear whine and growling at different speeds and different degrees of accelleration and decelleration.
get new hardened tip side yokes, a heavy duty rear end cover, and ujoints back there while it is all apart too. don't forget paint or powdercoat, and a new crossmember bushing set...
see how it snowballs?
good luck..
get new hardened tip side yokes, a heavy duty rear end cover, and ujoints back there while it is all apart too. don't forget paint or powdercoat, and a new crossmember bushing set...
see how it snowballs?
good luck..
I did the crossmember bushings when I did mine. As far as parts go, you need to work with someone who will let you provide your own parts. Get the US Gears R&P from Tom's Differentials. I did a lot of research but still tried to go the cheaper route and bought another popular brand on sale--even though countless posters said that brand is loud no matter how well you pattern them. As soon as they arrived I decided I didn't like the look of them and ordered the US Gears (made in Chicago!). Much better. The bearings and seals I bought in a kit from Eckler's, I was please with the quality (Timken bearings and races), and it was only around $110.00.
If you just take it to a shop you'll likely end up with a different brand of gears and a much higher parts bill.
Just my 2c
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
I think I'll plan on letting a professional actually set everything up, also still wondering what other parts should be purchased? Thanks joewill for the suggestions. I have the aluminum stiffeners that Ecklers sells for the crossmember so should I still do the bushings?
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