Rear differential leaking
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Rear differential leaking
I have an 80 corvette and need to replace the seals as it is leaking fluid. Not badly just a small amount when hot. My question is can I do the seal replacements without taking it out of the car?
Thanks for the help
Thanks for the help
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 9
From: Kalamazoo Mi
idk man i have an 80 and with the "batwing" i just took it out because it looked like a much bigger pita to try and do it in the car.
the cover is also the crossmember. because of this the bolts on the top would be very hard to reach. It would be possible if you unbolted the spring; removed the x member mounts (a good time to rebuild them anyway) unbolted the cover and removed it but i am telling you having done it it is easier to just pull the whole thing out it also makes torquing the cover way easier. Nothing is more frustrating then putting on a diff cover just to have it start leaking again esp if you have to go through all this nonsense.
ps i would also worry about trying to get the cover back on and everything lined up with the half shafts pressing down on the diff as the x member is no longer supporting it. The front diff mount might but again i see trying to replace the gasket in the car as a recipe for a headache.
the cover is also the crossmember. because of this the bolts on the top would be very hard to reach. It would be possible if you unbolted the spring; removed the x member mounts (a good time to rebuild them anyway) unbolted the cover and removed it but i am telling you having done it it is easier to just pull the whole thing out it also makes torquing the cover way easier. Nothing is more frustrating then putting on a diff cover just to have it start leaking again esp if you have to go through all this nonsense.
ps i would also worry about trying to get the cover back on and everything lined up with the half shafts pressing down on the diff as the x member is no longer supporting it. The front diff mount might but again i see trying to replace the gasket in the car as a recipe for a headache.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 408
Likes: 1
From: Ormond Beach Florida
Just got done doing that rebuild vtxvette. Take it out because you will have to remove the half-shafts to replace the seals. Also, plan on the half-shaft replacements (especially if they are original because of mushrooming upon removal. The pin will probably be worn when you are inside the pumpkin. I spent about $500 to replace the 3 seals, shafts and pin. Some kind of oil additive was recommended when re-filling, but I don't recall what it was.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 408
Likes: 1
From: Ormond Beach Florida
I really don"t know about the suspension package. I bought the car in Wisconsin last November and had it delivered to Florida, where I am in the process of a complete rebuild (painting and interior is all I have left to do)
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 408
Likes: 1
From: Ormond Beach Florida
I remember some numbers on the strut mounting brackets, but don"t remember what they were. I think you are right about the suspension. It was an option back in the day. This is news to me...good news I believe. I re-conditions all the rubbers on the suspension and mounting bolts. It is as tight as stiff as a drum, and with the new adjusting bolts, easy to adjust to driving conditions.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Hey scorpion18. What do u mean by mushrooming. Basically everything is working properly hut looks old. I plan on replacing all bushings, shocks nuts and bolts. Also I do not have a lift and the car is drivable (a blast to drive) can thismbendonenonmjack stands and do I really need an impact wrench or will my ratchets do the job?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 408
Likes: 1
From: Ormond Beach Florida
You will not be able to remove the short axles (and replace), the bearings, seals and pin (inside the differential) on jack stands. This work is best left to a drive-train mechanic who will have all the tools, lift and parts. He will also give you a warranty on the work. Don't forget to do the U-joints while you are tearing that rear-end down. I took the whole assembly out of the car (differential, short shafts, drive shaft, struts, and leaf springs while on jack stands. The impact wrench was not necessary; 6-point wrenches and sockets worked fine. I might have used a cheater bar...I don't remember. I then took the differential assembly down to the specialist along with the shafts to replace the press-in the U-joints. Assembly was easy with all the new bolts.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Just finished did the entire rear rebuild new bushings shocks nuts bolts diff rebuild with seals carriage bushings etc... Also cleaned and re painted everything also new u joints went back together fine with original half shafts. Only problem is the rear is sitting at 27 inches with the front at 29 1/8 driver and 29 7/8 passenger. The rear looks right and drives great. But the front needs to be lowered as it was always high. How do I do that?
Asusual thanks for the help
Asusual thanks for the help
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
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From: Southern NH