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I pulled the differential from my ‘77 and it’s going to a shop this week. There's a lot of play in the right side yoke. Question, you think all that play would lead to all differential fluid leaking out or is there something else going on? Could the case be cracked? Also, looks like the bolts that held the half-shaft on sheered that part of the case off. That can't be good. Any idea what would have caused that?
I'm bracing for impact with what the shop has to say.
Any on my differential crossmember - based on the pictures, should I bother replacing the cushions? To me they look like they're in pretty good shape. I'm doing a total rebuild on the rear end but I'm not looking to make my car a show car so if replacing them would only be for aesthetics, I'd pass on that.
Thanks in advance for any insight! Lots of play in the passenger side yoke. Doesn't come fully out. Could this be the culprit for all the differential fluid on the outside? Also, not the sheered off part of the differential case. Looks like that was from the bolts that held on the universal joints. What could have caused that? Play in the yoke? Should I replace the differential cross member cushions? If it's just to make this thing look better I'd rather pass on that.
Last edited by Red1977Vette; Sep 20, 2020 at 01:53 PM.
There is no video that I see attached to your post.
Your description is of worn side yoke ends and possibly other internal wear.
I hope the shop doing the work is experienced in C3 differentials.
It is a common failure. Here's a quote from ZIP website.
"If your 1963-1979 Corvette is experiencing excessive tire wear or clutch chattering, worn differential side yokes are usually the culprit. Especially on mid shark era Corvettes as the factory stub axles were manufactured of a softer steel and therefore prematurely wear on the ends. Once the side axle has worn down past the retaining clip - the assembly could essentially slide in and out causing issues with alignment and tire wear.
That statement is incorrect. Worn axles will not cause posi chatter but it sounds good. Mid shark era, it would be better to state 72-79 had soft axles, maybe they didn't know that?
The picture shows what looks like the axle cut into the housing ear in which case the 1/8 lip has been ground away and hit the seal. If too deep start looking for a new housing, if your shop doesn't know what caused that or see it then get a better shop or you are in for a huge bill. If you want to know what they know ask if they polish and tune the posi and if they say they do as them what that means.
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Differential Problems
