'71 half shaft reinstall
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 115
Likes: 15
From: Lebanon Ohio
'71 half shaft reinstall
I am reinstalling the half shafts after putting in new seals. My manual says to install each axle clocked 90 degrees apart from the other side. Why is this? Is it critical? It seems to me that relative 'clocking' of one axle to the other is constantly changing every time I turn a corner so that 90 degrees is not gonna last more than a few miles, or maybe even a few feet! 🤔
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
I think they wrote it as a joke just to see if anyone was actually reading the manual. Or it was beer Friday, or Monday.
The axles never stay in the same relative position after the first 20 feet. Or less.
The axles never stay in the same relative position after the first 20 feet. Or less.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 516
Likes: 72
From: Modesto California
I am reinstalling the half shafts after putting in new seals. My manual says to install each axle clocked 90 degrees apart from the other side. Why is this? Is it critical? It seems to me that relative 'clocking' of one axle to the other is constantly changing every time I turn a corner so that 90 degrees is not gonna last more than a few miles, or maybe even a few feet! 🤔
Which manual said to "clock" them 90 degrees apart? You are right as every time you turn a corner the "clocking" changes. I have a feeling the manual is referring to something else OR whoever wrote the manual was high on drugs.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
The 1969 Chassis Service Manual also says it so I would imagine it wasn't removed. Kind of a dumb moment that was never changed I guess...
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
The half shafts mate to the diffy output yokes wherever they are. I suppose you could change their position, but don't know why you would need to.
I'd guess that the GM manuals probably gave that info since 1963 when the independent rear suspension was introduced in the Corvette. No need to change it since "it's always been that way".
I'd guess that the GM manuals probably gave that info since 1963 when the independent rear suspension was introduced in the Corvette. No need to change it since "it's always been that way".
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
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From: Connecticut, USA
Another thing to consider with written procedures is a lot of the older manuals recommended splitting the diff from the rear cover and removing it. While that can be done it is not the best or safest way to remove vette differential from a c2 or c3. The manuals also show plenty of great tools and tooling to get the rebuilding of drivetrain units done neat and fast, try to find them today.
Your axles, if stock built, should have a good spring load on them so moving by hand would be a little exercise. A correctly tuned posi will not have that loading and can easily be rotated, but again not necessary.
Your axles, if stock built, should have a good spring load on them so moving by hand would be a little exercise. A correctly tuned posi will not have that loading and can easily be rotated, but again not necessary.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,455
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Another thing to consider with written procedures is a lot of the older manuals recommended splitting the diff from the rear cover and removing it. While that can be done it is not the best or safest way to remove vette differential from a c2 or c3. The manuals also show plenty of great tools and tooling to get the rebuilding of drivetrain units done neat and fast, try to find them today.
Your axles, if stock built, should have a good spring load on them so moving by hand would be a little exercise. A correctly tuned posi will not have that loading and can easily be rotated, but again not necessary.
Your axles, if stock built, should have a good spring load on them so moving by hand would be a little exercise. A correctly tuned posi will not have that loading and can easily be rotated, but again not necessary.
jeff
