Changing a rear gear - How hard?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 420
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis IN
Changing a rear gear - How hard?
How hard is it to change the rear gears in my 73? Is it a DIY project? About how much would it cost to have it done professionally? In my old Camaro it was a breeze. This is obviously a lot harder.
[Modified by blunsford, 4:40 AM 11/8/2003]
[Modified by blunsford, 4:40 AM 11/8/2003]
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,990
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: Changing a rear gear - How hard? (blunsford)
You'll need:
Factory manual
Dial in/lb torque wrench 0-30 scale
Press- 20 ton
engine stand to hold the housing
Dial indicator
0-100 ft/lb torque wrench
Loctite
Rebuild kit
Replacing the gears can be a job. It take a lot of time to set up the pattern correctly. Most guys will tell you to farm it out for the $500 a vette shop will charge. If in fact you don't have the tools or experience working to close tolerances then you're better off sending it out. Remove the differential yourself to save time and money.
I prefer to do the work myself. I've rebuilt a couple so far and have 2 more to do this year. The one problem I had on one was I reused the original gear set that was questionable to begin with. I figured I'd give them a shot to see how they were on the road. Well they do have a slight load noise I think- the car has crappy chambered exhaust so it's hard to tell. I'm going to remove it anyway and replace the gearset. Look through the archives and you'll find more info. I think there are only a few guys here that do this work on their own.
Gary
Factory manual
Dial in/lb torque wrench 0-30 scale
Press- 20 ton
engine stand to hold the housing
Dial indicator
0-100 ft/lb torque wrench
Loctite
Rebuild kit
Replacing the gears can be a job. It take a lot of time to set up the pattern correctly. Most guys will tell you to farm it out for the $500 a vette shop will charge. If in fact you don't have the tools or experience working to close tolerances then you're better off sending it out. Remove the differential yourself to save time and money.
I prefer to do the work myself. I've rebuilt a couple so far and have 2 more to do this year. The one problem I had on one was I reused the original gear set that was questionable to begin with. I figured I'd give them a shot to see how they were on the road. Well they do have a slight load noise I think- the car has crappy chambered exhaust so it's hard to tell. I'm going to remove it anyway and replace the gearset. Look through the archives and you'll find more info. I think there are only a few guys here that do this work on their own.
Gary
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Re: Changing a rear gear - How hard? (gtr1999)
:iagree: Good advice. Mine has a questionable gear set also. Bought the rear used. I refreshed everything but the gear set. I have a whine while coasting, goes away with acceleration. Might also be a slight shim problem. Not enough to worry about. If you don't have the tools take it out and have a pro do it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
Re: Changing a rear gear - How hard? (blunsford)
i have thought about buying a complete rebuild rear end from the corvette mags, exchange them my rearend and put the new one in my self.cost over$1000 dollars. i would like to find a shop some where between fort wayne and indy and let them put the new gears in my rear end, hopefully for less money. if you find somebody let me know.
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Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Florida
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Re: Changing a rear gear - How hard? (terry82)
In another thread, someone mentioned a shop called "Driveline of Orlando." I checked my phonebook and found "Driveline of Jacksonville."
Take a look. Maybe it is a national chain. Planning to talk to them soon.
[Modified by OHSIXX, 2:20 PM 11/9/2003]
Take a look. Maybe it is a national chain. Planning to talk to them soon.
[Modified by OHSIXX, 2:20 PM 11/9/2003]
