Replacing Side Yoke Seals
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 409
Likes: 13
From: Lavonia Georgia
Replacing Side Yoke Seals
I picked up a used differential with a 3.55 gear set. The replacement unit looks to be in great condition but I want to replace the pinion and side yoke seals while I've got it on the bench. I've found several good write ups on the pinion seal replacment so that's covered. I've found lots of discussion about side yoke seals but nothing that speaks to the process. I've got the seals ready to go. The end of the side yoke shafts look great with no wear and still seems to have the original taper. So do I simply pull the snap rings, pull the yokes out, remove the old seals, install the new ones, slide the yokes back and install the snap rings? Will everything stay in place when the shafts are removed? I just want to ensure that when I pull the yokes, things aren't going to go flying around in there. Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 409
Likes: 13
From: Lavonia Georgia
Thanks a bunch...you folks are not only good, but quick too. I just went up to the shop to clean up the gasket surfaces and piddle around and already have my answer. I'll finish up the seals tonight and install the diff in the morning. Appreciate the help.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 409
Likes: 13
From: Lavonia Georgia
Little more help please.
Snap rings...no problem, Seals replaced. Tried to install the diff and the ring gear hits on the rear cover as the side yokes hit on the floor board. I had a problem getting the diff out because of this bind, but with the weight of the diff, I was able to work it back and forth until it fell out. Now, with gravity working against me I can't get it back in. The only thing I can think of is maybe I didn't loosen the spring mount bolts enough and the trailing arms are allowing the spring to pull the bottom of the rear cover forward. I could loosen the bolts more if you think that would help...just not sure. It's too heavy to keep trying without either getting space relief or a tranny jack to force the issue.....
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I had a guy at my house buying a 3:08 that I was selling and he said he removed the rear end the same way you did.
I honestly would never have thought it could be done like that,I'm going to look in my GM manual.
Yes to do it the way I do it you would have to remove the spring.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 409
Likes: 13
From: Lavonia Georgia
Not sure, but it's not really working so well for me.
It seems the rear cover is tilted forward at the bottom because the wheels dropping down rotated the trailing arm end down and forward. I'd thought about lowering the car a bit to place some weight back on the rear wheels to rotate the trailing arms up pushing the bottom of the cover backwards. But with the half shafts out and the strut rods loose, there's nothing really there to push things up straight. I'm thinking loading the rear wheels with nothing to help the trailing arms is a bad idea.
So at this point, I'm struggling for the right answer.
It seems the rear cover is tilted forward at the bottom because the wheels dropping down rotated the trailing arm end down and forward. I'd thought about lowering the car a bit to place some weight back on the rear wheels to rotate the trailing arms up pushing the bottom of the cover backwards. But with the half shafts out and the strut rods loose, there's nothing really there to push things up straight. I'm thinking loading the rear wheels with nothing to help the trailing arms is a bad idea.
So at this point, I'm struggling for the right answer.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
The spring to trailing arm bolts could be forcing the spring forward which would push the bottom of the cover forward. I think your right raising the trailing arms might allow the cover to rotate down and back. (The spring is pressing down at the trailing arms end so dont take the nuts off the long spring bolts.)
