Rear Axle Service

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Rear Axle Service

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Blazer >> Mechanical & Maintenance >> Do-It-Yourself >> Rear Axle Service

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Rear Axle Service - 4/28/2006 10:42:01 PM

swartlkk

Posts: 14299
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
Status: offline

So I just finished up my rear axle service this afternoon. Finally got some time to get the pictures uploaded and post 'em.

Anyway, here they are-

Drain plug - my 3/8" to 1/2" adapter fit perfectly into the square. Popped this off before starting anything

Diff all cleaned up. I ended up using about 2 cans of brake cleaner to clean up the diff and case. You must make sure to allow all of the brake cleaner to evaporate (or suck it up with a rag) before closing the diff back up and filling it. I also used some compressed air to blow the excess cleaner out. Used a razor knife to clean the gasket off, then some emry cloth to clean the rusted portions of the case up so the new gasket could sit nice and flat.

All buttoned back up with a new cover. My old cover was starting to weep ever so slightly from the center of the cover so it was only a matter of time. It didn't really seem like it was rusted through as I couldn't see any blemishes on the inside, but it had oil between the rust layers on the outside. $17 for the cover from the dealership. Really didn't feel like messing around with the old one for $17. Put in close to 2 qts of 75w90 Mobil 1 synthetic gear lube. Should do nicely.

The gears and everything inside the diff housing looked great. And for 80k miles, the magnet didn't have all that much material on it which is good news. Should be all set to go for another 80k.

< Message edited by swartlkk -- 4/28/2006 10:49:05 PM >

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Kyle-

2004 Rainier
1970 Chevelle - Resto
1974 K5 Blazer - Resto

Post #: 1

RE: Rear Axle Service - 4/28/2006 11:14:26 PM

Binz316

Posts: 158
Joined: 2/3/2006
Status: offline

nice post, I did this last weekend and you covered it perfectly. I used just under 2qts as well, but what I didn't do is buy a new cover. Had I know it was only 17 bucks I would have. Instead I gave it a couple coats of Rustoleum. The only thing Kyle (if you know) is post the torque specs of the cover bolts. I turned my Haynes manual upside down for the specs but came up empty. So I just guessed and tightened them down to 12lbs??? I've done the tranny and rear diff now with mobil1 syn all that is left is the front diff and I may pay a shop to do that for me.

_____________________________

2002 Blazer
2 door 4x4
AEM Brute Force CAI
Kicker coaxials
Alumapro BP-10 /w Cadence A5 Mono Block

2007 Dodge Charger 3.5LHO (My new toy)
mods coming!!!!!

(in reply to swartlkk)

Post #: 2

RE: Rear Axle Service - 4/28/2006 11:35:27 PM

swartlkk

Posts: 14299
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
Status: offline

Yup, torque spec is 28ft.lbs. for the rear cover bolts. I used the german priciple of gew-den-tite.

The two bolts behind the sway bar were a pain in the butt to get off, plus all of my bolts were rusted quite bad. I actually had to hammer a 12mm wrench onto one of the bolts obstructed by the sway bar to get it off. I cleaned them all up as best I could without running out to my dads to use his wire wheel.

I'm glad I replaced my cover. Like I said, it looked very good on the inside, but with oil on the outside, I'd rather play it safe and spend $17 for a replacement.

Also some more information for you guys. The 7.625" ring gear and the 8.125" ring gear (or whatever it is - 8+) have very similar rear covers. By far the most common is the 7-5/8" ring gear. You'll need to know the rear gear to get the proper gasket and cover if required.

_____________________________

Kyle-

2004 Rainier
1970 Chevelle - Resto
1974 K5 Blazer - Resto

(in reply to Binz316)

Post #: 3

RE: Rear Axle Service - 4/29/2006 5:57:33 AM

Binz316

Posts: 158
Joined: 2/3/2006
Status: offline

28ftlbs? oops I better get under there and give those bolts a turn.

_____________________________

2002 Blazer
2 door 4x4
AEM Brute Force CAI
Kicker coaxials
Alumapro BP-10 /w Cadence A5 Mono Block

2007 Dodge Charger 3.5LHO (My new toy)
mods coming!!!!!

(in reply to swartlkk)

Post #: 4

RE: Rear Axle Service - 4/21/2007 12:43:12 PM

djremix

Posts: 100
Joined: 6/2/2006
Status: offline

Absolutely the best post on rear differential found...so far. I want to do it to mine, not because it's leaking or nothing but because it's never been done and my 97 Blazer has 134 XXX miles on it!

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http://proper-designs.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=36&products_id=102

(in reply to Binz316)

Post #: 5

RE: Rear Axle Service - 4/21/2007 4:20:48 PM

Chevy Lover

General Tech Moderator
Posts: 3411
Joined: 6/11/2006
From: Vancouver. B.C. Canada
Status: offline

Nice work Kyle, you're hired! Should probably make a stickey or pin this in the DIY.

Now, when are you going to clean up and paint the housing and sway bar?

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Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach a man to fish, and he will sit on a boat drinking beer for a life time

(in reply to djremix)

Post #: 6

RE: Rear Axle Service - 4/21/2007 4:29:34 PM

drperry

Posts: 3896
Joined: 1/12/2007
From: GP AB CA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: swartlkk
Also some more information for you guys. The 7.625" ring gear and the 8.125" ring gear (or whatever it is - 8+) have very similar rear covers. By far the most common is the 7-5/8" ring gear. You'll need to know the rear gear to get the proper gasket and cover if required.

As far as I know, only the ZR2 got the 8.125" gear.

Edit: It's 8.5" for the ZR2s and some other ones...

Which takes more fluid than the 7 5/8" diff... Apparently the dealership doesn't take that into account when filling up your diffs... And only puts in enough for the 7 5/8" diff...

< Message edited by drperry -- 10/10/2007 2:16:04 AM >

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