rear end asploded. is it still driveable?

[stockgp]

running a few errands this morning and my rear end started popping. made the trip home and opened up the pumpkin and bits of gear were laying around.

this was a 2.29 posi unit. i'm not real familiar with differentials, but i'm assuming there should be four gears in the pumpkin. two gears on the axles, then one on each end of the pinion shaft. there is only one gear on one end of the pinion shaft.

now, i don't really care if the posi doesn't work. all i realy need ot know is if this rear end will drive until i can afford to get a new one. i really just want to sell the car anyways, but can't until my motorcycle is back from paint.

i fished out all the chunks of metal i could find, and i have a new rear gasket and gear oil

 

[Bonnewagon]

There are 6 gears. 1 on the pinion, 1 ring gear, and 4 spider gears inside the carrier. Which broke? If the pinion or ring gear broke, they are around $200 for a set. If it's one of the spider gears, they are a little cheaper, or you can swap your ring gear onto a non-posi carrier and readjust. Just be aware of what is involved, it is not plug-and-play, it needs to be installed correctly. Probably cheaper to swap a whole rear in.

 

[stockgp]

i'ma ware of the work involved, and aware of the ring and pinion. i just meant there are four gears IN the carrier. one of the spider gears around the pinion shaft broke. specifically, the one closer to the pinion shaft retaining bolt

i've been looking for a posi rear end for a couple years now, seems like every time i find one, it's already gone or a junkyard wants 800 bucks for one.

anyhow, the ring an pinion gear are ok. the ring gear is missing part of 1 tooth, but it meshes just fine with the pinion gear.

it appears that the carier may be effed as well. i had to pound the pinion shaft out. unless it's the clutch plates binding the shaft.

without popping the cover back off, is there any way to tell if i have a 7.5 or 7.6 carrier?

also, you can see in the pic that the clutch plates are bent and one ear is broken off. so they will need replaced, too

 

[496kid]

yea,i think 87'and newer are 7.6.

 

[stockgp]

ok. problem with that is that my car is an 82 supreme, and the rear end is from an unknown year 442

 

[Bonnewagon]

I would just get another rear. Unless you feel like taking it all apart and evaluating all the pieces. I have replaced spider gears with used ones before, fitment not as critical as the ring and pinion and practically all GM are the same. Driving as is I would expect more breakage.

 

[stockgp]

tha;t spretty much what i need to know.

i'll keep looking for a while rear, and start pricing spider gears.

thanks

 

[pontiacgp]

if your going to rebuild the posi take a look at it and see if it's an Auburn or an Eaton before ordering parts...you'll also need a spring retainers since yours are bent

 

[Bonnewagon]

When looking at rears, try to find a 3:08 or 3:23. You will love the acceleration while highway rpm's will be decent. 2:29's are about as bad as it gets.

 

[FE3X CLONE]

Just an fyi, that rear is not from a 442 if it's a 7.5" with 2.29 gears. 442's had 8.5's with 3.73's.