I've done the Blazer front brake swap on my '80 Malibu. The Blazer front hubs have metric thread wheel studs. I'm looking for options, so that I can have the same metric thread studs for the rear wheels as well. I know that starting in 1982, GM used metric wheel studs on G body cars. Can the axle shafts from a 1982 or newer G body rear axle assembly be installed in my 1980 housing?
Axle shaft question
- Thread starter clean8485
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Yes the axles can swap but as TURNA posted about the stud swap it may just be a cheaper/easier way to match the front studs.
I know that I'm reviving an old thread here, but has anyone ever actually swapped the rear wheel studs from SAE to metric on a '78-'81 A/G body rear axle? are the holes in the axle flange the same size for both SAE and metric wheel studs? Thanks in advance.
I swapped out the studs on my 67 A body rear to the metric studs. If I remember correctly I had to open the holes for the studs cause I could not get the correct diameter knurl on the metric studs. If I were you I'd change the axle seals while you doing the job.
The holes in the axle flange are NOT the same size for the SAE versus the metric studs. They are an oddball ball size and you won't find the "correct" size drill bit. You can drill them out to the next closest size and it will work. That's what I did back in the day and had no issues. The correct way to do it if you can't get the hole the right size would be to just swap the axles out of a later G body. Plus you get to change the differential fluid which few people ever do.
The metric studs are M12 which is .472 inches basically 15/32. The English are 7/16 which is .437 (rounded down).you have to open up the hub
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