Differential Question--
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 288
From: ESCONDIDO CA
2025 C2 of the Year ('63 and '67) Finalist - Unmodified
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Differential Question--
I'm replacing half shafts and universal joints on a 69 BB. Upon removal, I find that one side yoke on the differential moves away from the differential about 5/16 of an inch, (does not come out). The other will not pull away that far. If I push them both in as tight as they go, they bump each other. Is that movement something I should address and if it is, what does that entail? It's a 308 posi.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 160
From: new iberia la
I'm replacing half shafts and universal joints on a 69 BB. Upon removal, I find that one side yoke on the differential moves away from the differential about 5/16 of an inch, (does not come out). The other will not pull away that far. If I push them both in as tight as they go, they bump each other. Is that movement something I should address and if it is, what does that entail? It's a 308 posi.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: Castle Rock CO
http://mycorvetterestoration.com/196...p#.UsX6rU2A27Q
http://mycorvetterestoration.com/196...p#.UsX7sE2A27Q
Here is a link to a site that helps to explain the removal of the Rear Diff on early model corvettes.
With it having more play on one side than the other tells me also something is worn and it should be removed and inspected. You can purchase a completed Differential or a rebuild kit from the vendors on this site.
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1963-1979.html
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/trans....html?limit=96
http://mycorvetterestoration.com/196...p#.UsX7sE2A27Q
Here is a link to a site that helps to explain the removal of the Rear Diff on early model corvettes.
With it having more play on one side than the other tells me also something is worn and it should be removed and inspected. You can purchase a completed Differential or a rebuild kit from the vendors on this site.
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1963-1979.html
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/trans....html?limit=96
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,213
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
I researched this very thing a few months ago. There are alot of different opinions out there. Some claim that this is not a big thing and is common to many of our cars, and it is not really a problem. I THINK that this is something I can live with and may fix in the future.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
It's certainly not a safety issue nor does it affect handling in normal street use. (Flame suit on)
This is an economic issue. If the yoke wears far enough, the dust shield will cut into the diff housing which may cause further damage.
If you do remove the diff to replace the yoke, may as well do a complete overhaul given the amount of work required to access the part.
This is an economic issue. If the yoke wears far enough, the dust shield will cut into the diff housing which may cause further damage.
If you do remove the diff to replace the yoke, may as well do a complete overhaul given the amount of work required to access the part.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 288
From: ESCONDIDO CA
2025 C2 of the Year ('63 and '67) Finalist - Unmodified
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Thank you all for the good info. I did wonder if a hard right turn would tug the yoke further out-possibly requiring that flame suit. It does seem locked in. Does that mean the "C" clip is still in-place, maybe in a worn groove?
I will climb under again soon to see if I can pull the cover. Also thanks for the restoration site and the link to Ecklers--I'm a big fan-ordered my new half shafts w/universals and flange from them just yesterday.
I will climb under again soon to see if I can pull the cover. Also thanks for the restoration site and the link to Ecklers--I'm a big fan-ordered my new half shafts w/universals and flange from them just yesterday.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Some have trouble visualizing this.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 160
From: new iberia la
Thank you all for the good info. I did wonder if a hard right turn would tug the yoke further out-possibly requiring that flame suit. It does seem locked in. Does that mean the "C" clip is still in-place, maybe in a worn groove?
I will climb under again soon to see if I can pull the cover. Also thanks for the restoration site and the link to Ecklers--I'm a big fan-ordered my new half shafts w/universals and flange from them just yesterday.
I will climb under again soon to see if I can pull the cover. Also thanks for the restoration site and the link to Ecklers--I'm a big fan-ordered my new half shafts w/universals and flange from them just yesterday.
Last edited by fishslayer143; Jan 2, 2014 at 09:54 PM.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 288
From: ESCONDIDO CA
2025 C2 of the Year ('63 and '67) Finalist - Unmodified
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
It cannot come out, there is force being applied inward.. by the way, heres another vendor you might check out in the future, http://www.duntovmotors.com/corvette-parts.php .. Tell Edward I sent you
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
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From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
If it moves 5/16 of an inch your c clips are no longer on the halfshaft likely worn to the c clip groove or past. The reason it does not pull out is because the end of the yoke is mushroomed. The filings of the 1/4 inch of worn halfshaft is now running through all your gears and bearings eating the internals of the differential. This subject comes up every once in a while. I am on the side of rebuilding the differential while as much of the case and internals are salvageable as possible. There are those that say just drive it until it implodes or explodes. Guess it depends on how important having the correct numbers matching rear differential in your 69 BB car is to you. I think it would be important to me.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
If it moves 5/16 of an inch your c clips are no longer on the halfshaft likely worn to the c clip groove or past. The reason it does not pull out is because the end of the yoke is mushroomed. The filings of the 1/4 inch of worn halfshaft is now running through all your gears and bearings eating the internals of the differential. This subject comes up every once in a while. I am on the side of rebuilding the differential while as much of the case and internals are salvageable as possible. There are those that say just drive it until it implodes or explodes. Guess it depends on how important having the correct numbers matching rear differential in your 69 BB car is to you. I think it would be important to me.
Also...if I read correctly....the repair can be made with the diff. in place----remove the cover and make the repair (unless the entire diff. needs a rebuild). Since I removed the complete suspension assembly for cleaning/painting---I'll remove the cover and make internal repairs / replace external seals since the car has not been driven in 15 years.
(I can't see driving a car until a component explodes either....and I'm a rookie!)
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 160
From: new iberia la
Say Fish, Eckler's was a back order of unknown length of time. So went to Duntovmotors. Now I did forget to ask for Edward or to mention your name but Jason was good help. For some reason the parts sat a week before they shipped but today I received two very nice half-shafts with all the trimmings-Spicer universals and 3 inch shafts. Thanks for the recommendation and the knowledge---Steve
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
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Also...if I read correctly....the repair can be made with the diff. in place----remove the cover and make the repair (unless the entire diff. needs a rebuild). Since I removed the complete suspension assembly for cleaning/painting---I'll remove the cover and make internal repairs / replace external seals since the car has not been driven in 15 years.
(I can't see driving a car until a component explodes either....and I'm a rookie!)
About 'exploding diffs'- I think someone is exaggerating. The metal filings and bits settle to the bottom of the housing and sit there, not circulate continuously.
The usual effect of running with worn yokes is the outer dust seal shield touching the diff housing- but this might take 30-50K miles to occur.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 160
From: new iberia la
Really? That's Funny, Mine is 5 years old behind 525HP.. never had an issue. I know at least 2 dozen others with their differentials as far away as Switzerland . None have had any problems.. What exactly did you buy for $600 ? it certainly wasn t a Differential .
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 160
From: new iberia la
You can't remove just the cover with the diff in the car.
About 'exploding diffs'- I think someone is exaggerating. The metal filings and bits settle to the bottom of the housing and sit there, not circulate continuously.
The usual effect of running with worn yokes is the outer dust seal shield touching the diff housing- but this might take 30-50K miles to occur.
About 'exploding diffs'- I think someone is exaggerating. The metal filings and bits settle to the bottom of the housing and sit there, not circulate continuously.
The usual effect of running with worn yokes is the outer dust seal shield touching the diff housing- but this might take 30-50K miles to occur.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
2 of the strut rod bushings were gone. Metal on metal. The other 2 had about 1/2 the rubber gone.
The spindles had twisted and were about to snap in half (inferior steel).
The yokes were twisted as well as severely worn. They were apparently not hardened. Wear as over 0.050" in just a few thousand miles.
I tried contacting them several times and was ignored. So now I warn people to stay away.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 160
From: new iberia la
Outer spindles, diff yokes and strut rods. After a few thousand miles:
2 of the strut rod bushings were gone. Metal on metal. The other 2 had about 1/2 the rubber gone.
The spindles had twisted and were about to snap in half (inferior steel).
The yokes were twisted as well as severely worn. They were apparently not hardened. Wear as over 0.050" in just a few thousand miles.
I tried contacting them several times and was ignored. So now I warn people to stay away.
2 of the strut rod bushings were gone. Metal on metal. The other 2 had about 1/2 the rubber gone.
The spindles had twisted and were about to snap in half (inferior steel).
The yokes were twisted as well as severely worn. They were apparently not hardened. Wear as over 0.050" in just a few thousand miles.
I tried contacting them several times and was ignored. So now I warn people to stay away.
