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Rear End Life Span

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Old Jul 7, 2003 | 12:40 PM
  #1  
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Default Rear End Life Span

I've removed the rear suspension on my 72 (still working on getting the trailing arms out!!) and was wondering if I should think about taking the rear end out for a rebuild?? My car has 130K miles and the rear end seemed fine before I started the trailing arm project. I'm just wondering what the life span of a rear end and if I should consider doing the rebuild now. Any thoughts???
:confused:
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Old Jul 7, 2003 | 01:13 PM
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Default Re: Rear End Life Span (l2vette)

You either have a low powered Vette or grandma always drove it! The stock Yokes have soft ends. Which ware away and put metal in the oil. I would open it up and check it out.
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Old Jul 7, 2003 | 01:22 PM
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Default Re: Rear End Life Span (gkull)

Try moving the side yokes in and out to check how much end play you have in them . Excessive movement will indicate the type of wear gkull is indicating .

gman hi geo
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Old Jul 7, 2003 | 02:39 PM
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Default Re: Rear End Life Span (ram82fire)

What is the tolerence for the side yokes??

Try moving the side yokes in and out to check how much end play you have in them . Excessive movement will indicate the type of wear gkull is indicating .

gman hi geo
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Old Jul 7, 2003 | 04:28 PM
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Default Re: Rear End Life Span (l2vette)

1/16 - 1/8 of an inch. Anymore than that your going to start rubbing on the c-clip


[Modified by Van Steel, 3:39 PM 7/7/2003]
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Old Jul 8, 2003 | 03:03 PM
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Default Re: Rear End Life Span (Van Steel)

Thanks for the response!!

1/16 - 1/8 of an inch. Anymore than that your going to start rubbing on the c-clip


[Modified by Van Steel, 3:39 PM 7/7/2003]
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Old Jul 8, 2003 | 03:55 PM
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Default Re: Rear End Life Span (l2vette)

You will also notice the outer dust shield on the yoke coming into close
contact with the diff housing. This does not mean the whole rear-end needs
a rebuild, though. It definitely indicates new side yokes.

My rear end wore through the yokes, chewed the C-clips until they were GONE,
and still seemed to be in decent shape upon inspection (assembled).
I replaced the yokes and kept driving.

Your mileage may vary. :seeya
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Old Jul 8, 2003 | 04:32 PM
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Default Re: Rear End Life Span (l2vette)

Check the tolerances, but if you have the rear out, I'd get it rebuilt :yesnod:

Mine had 150k miles on it and it was waaaaaaay past bad. The yokes were worn down horribly (one snap ring was gone & the other was close to hitting the pinion shaft and getting chewed up too). Fortunately, the gears were fine.

My $0.02
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