rear end grinding... good lord!

[Bonnewagon]

That's good. If you put the old gears back in, be sure they go in exactly as they were, to maintain the stock settings. Once you read about how to properly set up a ring and pinion, then get a shim kit, feeler gauges, dial indicator, torque wrench, and give it a go. I can do it and I'm an idiot.

 

[SilverShadow87]

thanks brother. 8) hopefully by the weekend (my boss will be out of the hospital then) ill be cruising much faster 🙂

 

[Bonnewagon]

No problemo. Forgot to mention, did you note the pinion gear pre-load when you took the pinion nut off the first time? Count the threads showing? You need to re-set it to exactly the same as it was if you use the old gears. If not, use the spec for used gears and cross your fingers. All this is in the manual.

 

[SilverShadow87]

talked to my boss today, he said the pinion didnt have enough play (none at all) and there should be about a quarter inch of play with it. i also drained the rest of the fluid and yes, there are a few shards in it, but none of the teeth were damaged TOO badly. however, im putting a new rear in it ( a spare) for now, its gears havent been messed with. while this ones out, im gonna clean it all up with new bearings & such, repaint it, and set the gears in the right way.

 

[SilverShadow87]

i also feel obligated to throw in.... ****kkkkk putting e-brake cables back in.... i cant even feel my fingertips from trying so many times.. anyone have an easier way to get it where its supposed to go?

 

[Bonnewagon]

"he said the pinion didnt have enough play (none at all) and there should be about a quarter inch of play with it." Are you referring to the pinion to ring gear play? That is called backlash and 1/4" is way too much. New gears are set at .006"-.010" a bit more for used gears. The factory manual has ALL the specs, as well as the complete instructions you need to set up a rear.

 

[SilverShadow87]

"he said the pinion didnt have enough play (none at all) and there should be about a quarter inch of play with it." Are you referring to the pinion to ring gear play? That is called backlash and 1/4" is way too much. New gears are set at .006"-.010" a bit more for used gears. The factory manual has ALL the specs, as well as the complete instructions you need to set up a rear.

i know you said to grab manual... where do i get it? or is it just a chilton?

 

[Bonnewagon]

NOT Chilton, or even Motor, they just don't get into it. Try http://www.factoryautomanuals.com/ I get most of mine from them, and there are others too. Epay is good, as are swap meets. Hint: all GM factory manuals for rear wheel drive contain the section on differentials and the procedure is the same for all the years . So if you have a buddy with say, a Buick manual, it will apply to Olds, Chevy, Pontiac, etc, and for all of the years of production, and in my opinion, the Buick manuals were the most comprehensive. I guarantee you will get a headache reading that section, but once you understand the concept, it will become clear why your rear was grinding. Look>>>http://www.factoryautomanuals.com/p...ass-salon-cutlass-cruiser-service-manual.aspx

 

[78 salon]

Just out of curiosity, what was your original gear set? IIRC, gears lower than 3:08( numerically higher) have to have a spacer if mounted to a 2 series carrier. Just asking.

 

[67rstbkt]

Go to this link:

http://gearinstalls.com/

It's toyota related, but this guy has done a lot of gear installs and documented them very well. You will find instructions and lots of pictures. You will need to get the specs for your set, but this will give you something to go on.