Rear Axle (Pictures and Video) - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

PHOENIX · 08-19-2003, 12:17 PM

Well Saturday I opened up the axle to change the fluid, take a look around, and to determine what gears I have.

Fluid was very old and really needed a changing.
I looked around a little bit and found some damage (see arrow below).
I determined that I have 3.07/3.08 (40 and 13).
The video is nothing special, but shows how the axle works.

Should I be worried about this damage?
About every other tooth on that gear has the side damaged.
It looks like something got stuck in between the gears.
What causes this damage?

Download the Axle Video

**swervin ervin** · 08-19-2003, 06:59 PM

Looks like the spider gears have seen better days.

Class of 69 · 08-19-2003, 09:55 PM

It is normal for the spider's to wear some, but those need to be replaced. You can do it yourself. Remove the bolt that holds the center pin in, and after you slide it out, rotate one axle until the top and bottom gear come out. Then, slide the side gears off the axle shafts. Go to a dealer and get new ones, and reverse procedure to install. You will probably need a new pin also, check it for wear at the gear locations. No close tolerances to set. Just make sure to replace all the washers in their right location.

**N2TRUX** · 08-19-2003, 11:46 PM

Yep, it's time for new spider gears. Those little guys make a big mess when they lock up, and explode. All the pieces float around for a while destroying all the other gears. It's not pretty...

PHOENIX · 08-20-2003, 01:19 PM

How much do you guys think it would cost me in parts and labor to take the axle into a shop and have them fix this and change the gears. I would probably go with 3.73's and buy them from someone else and bring them into the shop.
So how much for them to supply these spider gears and install them along with install (but not supply) the ring and pinion gears I bring to them?

I will make it a priority after exhaust is completed.

jimfulco · 08-21-2003, 12:04 PM

If you're going to spring for a complete overhaul plus spider gears plus ring & pinion, you could forego the spider gears & get a posi for not too much more.

08-19-2003, 12:17 PM	#1
PHOENIX Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 4,703	Rear Axle (Pictures and Video) Well Saturday I opened up the axle to change the fluid, take a look around, and to determine what gears I have. Fluid was very old and really needed a changing. I looked around a little bit and found some damage (see arrow below). I determined that I have 3.07/3.08 (40 and 13). The video is nothing special, but shows how the axle works. Should I be worried about this damage? About every other tooth on that gear has the side damaged. It looks like something got stuck in between the gears. What causes this damage? Download the Axle Video __________________ * AVOID: LOPER'S PERMORANCE / LOPERSPEED.COM OF PHOENIX, AZ & COTTMAN TRANSMISSION *

08-19-2003, 06:59 PM	#2
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Looks like the spider gears have seen better days. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

08-19-2003, 09:55 PM	#3
Class of 69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Stillwater MN Posts: 1,166	It is normal for the spider's to wear some, but those need to be replaced. You can do it yourself. Remove the bolt that holds the center pin in, and after you slide it out, rotate one axle until the top and bottom gear come out. Then, slide the side gears off the axle shafts. Go to a dealer and get new ones, and reverse procedure to install. You will probably need a new pin also, check it for wear at the gear locations. No close tolerances to set. Just make sure to replace all the washers in their right location. __________________ 69 GMC K10 ..some restoration required....still..

08-19-2003, 11:46 PM	#4
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Yep, it's time for new spider gears. Those little guys make a big mess when they lock up, and explode. All the pieces float around for a while destroying all the other gears. It's not pretty... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

08-20-2003, 01:19 PM	#5
PHOENIX Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 4,703	How much do you guys think it would cost me in parts and labor to take the axle into a shop and have them fix this and change the gears. I would probably go with 3.73's and buy them from someone else and bring them into the shop. So how much for them to supply these spider gears and install them along with install (but not supply) the ring and pinion gears I bring to them? I will make it a priority after exhaust is completed. __________________ * AVOID: LOPER'S PERMORANCE / LOPERSPEED.COM OF PHOENIX, AZ & COTTMAN TRANSMISSION *

08-21-2003, 12:04 PM	#6
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	If you're going to spring for a complete overhaul plus spider gears plus ring & pinion, you could forego the spider gears & get a posi for not too much more.

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