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Differential Problem?

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Old May 17, 2013 | 09:04 AM
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Default Differential Problem?

Here is my problem. I have a 71 vette and I hear a thumping sound coming from the back of the car. Now the only time i hear it is when the car has been driving for a while say 10 miles or so. just around town i don't hear anything. The noise only appears when i make a right turn after a stop and sometime when i make a left turn after i stop.
it's only one or two thumps then gone. Now i recently replaced both trailing arm assembly with rotors and brakes. New strut rods and new u joints. Just about everything is new in the back of the car. i'm lost and it's driving me crazy. somebody please help.
Jim
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Old May 17, 2013 | 09:47 AM
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Change rear fluid with proper posi and additive.
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Old May 17, 2013 | 10:18 AM
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OK thanks. i'll do that tomorrow.
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Old May 17, 2013 | 11:29 AM
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I'm under the impression he doesn't know what he's in for when trying to change the fluid on these cars.
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Old May 17, 2013 | 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Belgian1979vette
I'm under the impression he doesn't know what he's in for when trying to change the fluid on these cars.
I know what you mean... but maybe he has a vaccum to suck it out.

Anyway.... I would check the side yokes for end play too.
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Old May 17, 2013 | 12:57 PM
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what do you mean? i'm trying to change it now but can't even get the fill plug out
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Old May 17, 2013 | 01:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Jumbaliaman
what do you mean? i'm trying to change it now but can't even get the fill plug out
What he meant was.... take a look at the diff cover. You're not getting that off without taking apart nearly whole rear susp.

Notice also that there is no 'drain' plug for the gear oil.

You are either going to have to remove the cover to get the old oil out, or use tube in the 'fill' plug, get it to the bottom of the case, and vaccum it out.

Getting the fill plug out if the least of it.

Now... if your side yokes have end play, and need to be replaced, you have to get the diff down... again the whole rear susp needs to pretty much come out.
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Old May 17, 2013 | 02:15 PM
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I can't get the plug out so i'm going to drop it off at my mechanics shop tomorrow and let him deal with it on the lift. I believe I had the bearings and u joints replaced at the same time. we shall see tomorrow.
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Old May 17, 2013 | 08:25 PM
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Originally Posted by genuine1980
You are either going to have to remove the cover to get the old oil out, or use tube in the 'fill' plug, get it to the bottom of the case, and vaccum it out.
He could also install a drain plug. Pretty easy to drill a hole and tap it for a plug. There are old threads on the site that will show how to do this. It took longer to get my '73 on and off the ramps than it did to drill the hole, tap it, and replace the fluid. Do make sure you can get the fill plug loose before starting. Be a shame to drill the hole and then find out you couldn't remove the fill plug.

DC
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Old May 17, 2013 | 09:56 PM
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You might have a warped rotor? After the brakes get hot it may be more pronounced....

My rear creeks a little on tight parking lot turns but not loud. It's just the posi clutches slipping.
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Old May 18, 2013 | 05:14 AM
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Originally Posted by DC3
He could also install a drain plug. Pretty easy to drill a hole and tap it for a plug. There are old threads on the site that will show how to do this. It took longer to get my '73 on and off the ramps than it did to drill the hole, tap it, and replace the fluid. Do make sure you can get the fill plug loose before starting. Be a shame to drill the hole and then find out you couldn't remove the fill plug.

DC
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Old May 18, 2013 | 05:43 AM
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Drain plug- heat up the case around plug w/ a propane torch.
Use a large syringe w/ a piece of flexible tubing and suck the oil out.
Thats what I did anyway
On the bumping noise, my 68 differential bushing mount was loose and the diff would thump once on acceleration, and once on deceleration due to torque.
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Old May 18, 2013 | 09:58 AM
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thanks for all your help. i spoke with my mechanic this morning and he has a vacuum to do this. he said i can bring the car over Monday and we can put it on the lift and change the fluids. i hope this will fix the noise. wish me luck.
thanks again for your help
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Old May 18, 2013 | 10:40 AM
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Originally Posted by DC3
He could also install a drain plug. Pretty easy to drill a hole and tap it for a plug. There are old threads on the site that will show how to do this. It took longer to get my '73 on and off the ramps than it did to drill the hole, tap it, and replace the fluid. Do make sure you can get the fill plug loose before starting. Be a shame to drill the hole and then find out you couldn't remove the fill plug.

DC
If your going to make a drain hole, I wouldn't do it this way.... there is no way you made the hole and tapped it, without getting some metal into the case.

If it was me, I would do it, but I would do it with the case down and cover off, to make sure I get all the metal out.
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Old May 18, 2013 | 03:38 PM
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Originally Posted by genuine1980
If your going to make a drain hole, I wouldn't do it this way.... there is no way you made the hole and tapped it, without getting some metal into the case.

If it was me, I would do it, but I would do it with the case down and cover off, to make sure I get all the metal out.
If you do it with the fluid in, it would all flush out, but you're in for a oily shower.... The sucking out looks like a better option.

Anyway, I'm going to bet the yokes have play and then it's better to lower the diff. I've never done this with the body on the car, but I can imagine the fuss doing it. I just had to replace a bolt on the front bushing of my trailing arm and that alone was a mayor PIA. I was Lucky my son with his small hand was able to push the bolt in the hole...

If you take the diff out, get it tuned. I did mine and no shattering, hammering anymore. Fine lsd operation.
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Old May 18, 2013 | 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by genuine1980
If your going to make a drain hole, I wouldn't do it this way.... there is no way you made the hole and tapped it, without getting some metal into the case.

If it was me, I would do it, but I would do it with the case down and cover off, to make sure I get all the metal out.
I had no issues with doing it. The draining oil flushed any residual bits from the drilling and grease on the tap kept most of the tap cuttings from ending up inside the case. I then filtered the old oil to remove any metal particles and used it to flush the case a couple of times before filling with fresh gear oil. Lots of guys do this mod and its never caused a problem that I could find in my research. Probably because in the end any remaining metal particles from the case are softer than the gears.

DC
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Old May 18, 2013 | 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Belgian1979vette
If you do it with the fluid in, it would all flush out, but you're in for a oily shower...
It really wasn't bad. When you push through with the drill bit, the oil is thick enough it barely starts down the bit. I had plenty of time to pull the drill bit out of the way and let the fluid drain. Not really any different from pulling a drain plug.

DC
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