Chevrolet Malibu: Rear Axle/Diff problem

[MalibuHacon]

Yep, will do, I have planned to take the car to the club and lift it up and have a thorugh lookover, this wednesday/thursday. One last thing, Pontiac455, if my pinion shaft is welded to the spidergears, then how come i'm able to slide the pinion shaft 0,5 inches up and down?

 

[Pontiac455]

Because of the lash in the gears.

 

[MalibuHacon]

Well I hope that's not the issue. Guess I'll find out soon.

 

[MalibuHacon]

Pontiac455, if that's the issue, I'm thinking it probably has to do with the fact that I got stuck during the winter (several times), and basically did burnouts on the ice trying to get out, not on purpose though.. I will learn from my mistakes and buy chains next time.

 

[Pontiac455]

Gots my fingers crossed for ya bud. Sounds more like a broken bolt because you said the car doesn't have enough power to do burn outs..... Which causes the pinion shaft to bind up in the pinion gears.....

 

[MalibuHacon]

Yes, well thank you. Do you think a shop would cut out the pinion, and would that mean that i would need new spider gears?

 

[Pontiac455]

Yup a shop should do that for ya. Do you have access to another complete rear axle assembly? That might be the way to go since there is bearing trouble. Do u have the retaining bolt out? If so take a pic and post it.

 

[MalibuHacon]

I have looked online for another axle, but haven't found one, but i think that's a project for down the road. I just want to get my car through inspection, before its to late :O . Its a wheel-bearing that needs to be replaced, the bearings in the diff/axle aren't the best though, however they are not an issue to pass inspection. In order to pass the inspection, the inspector will rotate the tires while the car is in the air, and listen for noise. I will post a pic of the bolt tomorrow.

 

[MalibuHacon]

Okay I have an update. Today I lifted up the car and removed the diff cover to completely understand my problem, and look at the possible problems you guys had mentioned. I can check off that the pinion shaft is not attached to anything, its thankfully not "welded" to the spider gears. It will slide a bit up and down, but I along with a mechanic concluded that it needs to be pounded out, and hope for the best. I was gonna do it today, but I didn't have my car on the big lift, so I will attempt to finish up tomorrow.

I also took a pic of the retainer bolt but somehow forgot to save it, but it is hole, i checked with a mechanic, and it is absolutely hole, however bent.

 

[Bonnewagon]

Sounds good. Just be sure to use a drift that is very hard and won't bend. Also it is much easier if you have a helper.Someone to hold the drift on target while you swing the hammer. I've done it alone, but it is very easy to miss and hurt the carrier. If it moves at all, then turn the carrier around and hit it from the other side. Then keep doing that and work it out slowly. Trying to pound it in only one direction may cause it to hit the pinion gear- causing more headaches, as mentioned before.