HO52 HO72 third member rebuild - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

OldCreek · 09-13-2007, 11:27 PM

If I take my third member apart (for a clean up/inspection) am I asking for trouble? Or, is it a simple, straight forward, process? It does have the factory limited slip. Are there any rebuild manuals or literature out there?

pumpkin · 09-14-2007, 09:57 AM

Depends on your mechanical ability's. Before taking it apart it would be best to get the gaskets for the pinion bearing support. They are reasonably syrait forward, if you are changing the pinion bearing, it is a little tricky. You should make sure the oil passages for the pinion bearing are clean and clear. I have found these to plug up causing problems.

1969 GMC · 09-14-2007, 04:03 PM

If you do take the carrier apart (I personally wouldn't bother) remember to use a piece of all-thread and some 1.5" washers and some nuts to hold the Detroit together, otherwise it will spring apart.

I would say if it isn't leaking any oil or making any howling noises, I wouldn't totally tear it apart.

OldCreek · 09-14-2007, 10:29 PM

I'd rather not open it all up but my hand is forced. Apparently, the HO72 4.11 LSD I just got was under water repeatedly.... left by a creek for years.

Opened it up and a watery, oily, sludgy goo poured out. Astonishingly, only a little rust seen.... I hope. A few ring teeth are lightly pitted... is it still good?

Anyways, there is debris in all the bearings and I suppose within the LSD. As mentioned above, I'm worried about unbolting the LSD..........

I washed out the entire axle and third member and coated it with WD-40. Bad move? ..... worried about the clutch plates.

Plan on replacing the bearings. I'm not even gonna attack the brakes yet.

1969 GMC · 09-15-2007, 01:12 PM

It doesn't have clutch plates, it is a Detroit No-spin, which is the same as a Detroit locker.

What you did sounds good, my teeth had pitting but I cleaned them up with emery cloth and didnt go too crazy on it.

vtblazer · 09-17-2007, 08:43 PM

How are the drums and backing plate? Good/bad?

Need a set?

09-13-2007, 11:27 PM	#1
OldCreek Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Coast California Posts: 1,026	HO52 HO72 third member rebuild If I take my third member apart (for a clean up/inspection) am I asking for trouble? Or, is it a simple, straight forward, process? It does have the factory limited slip. Are there any rebuild manuals or literature out there? __________________ 1972 K20 Suburban 5.7/700r4/NP205 Dana 44/H052 Sold 1972 C10 5.3L/4L60E 12bolt 5Lug - Sold 1971 K5 Blazer 6.0L LQ9 4L60E NP205 Dana 44/H052!!! 1970 K3500 1ton CrewCab 8.1L/Allison1000/NP205 Dana 60/14B!!!! - Sold 1984 K10 SWB 7.4L/4L80e/NP208 Corp 10/12 bolt Sold 1988 V30 CCLB 7.4L/TH400/NP205/Dana 60/Dana 70/3.73!!! (Sold) 2003 K2500HD 8.1/Allison1000/NP263

09-14-2007, 09:57 AM	#2
pumpkin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: East Sooke B.C. Canada Posts: 543	Re: HO52 HO72 third member rebuild Depends on your mechanical ability's. Before taking it apart it would be best to get the gaskets for the pinion bearing support. They are reasonably syrait forward, if you are changing the pinion bearing, it is a little tricky. You should make sure the oil passages for the pinion bearing are clean and clear. I have found these to plug up causing problems.

09-14-2007, 04:03 PM	#3
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	Re: HO52 HO72 third member rebuild If you do take the carrier apart (I personally wouldn't bother) remember to use a piece of all-thread and some 1.5" washers and some nuts to hold the Detroit together, otherwise it will spring apart. I would say if it isn't leaking any oil or making any howling noises, I wouldn't totally tear it apart. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

09-14-2007, 10:29 PM	#4
OldCreek Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Coast California Posts: 1,026	Re: HO52 HO72 third member rebuild I'd rather not open it all up but my hand is forced. Apparently, the HO72 4.11 LSD I just got was under water repeatedly.... left by a creek for years. Opened it up and a watery, oily, sludgy goo poured out. Astonishingly, only a little rust seen.... I hope. A few ring teeth are lightly pitted... is it still good? Anyways, there is debris in all the bearings and I suppose within the LSD. As mentioned above, I'm worried about unbolting the LSD.......... I washed out the entire axle and third member and coated it with WD-40. Bad move? ..... worried about the clutch plates. Plan on replacing the bearings. I'm not even gonna attack the brakes yet. Attached Images __________________ 1972 K20 Suburban 5.7/700r4/NP205 Dana 44/H052 Sold 1972 C10 5.3L/4L60E 12bolt 5Lug - Sold 1971 K5 Blazer 6.0L LQ9 4L60E NP205 Dana 44/H052!!! 1970 K3500 1ton CrewCab 8.1L/Allison1000/NP205 Dana 60/14B!!!! - Sold 1984 K10 SWB 7.4L/4L80e/NP208 Corp 10/12 bolt Sold 1988 V30 CCLB 7.4L/TH400/NP205/Dana 60/Dana 70/3.73!!! (Sold) 2003 K2500HD 8.1/Allison1000/NP263 Last edited by OldCreek; 09-14-2007 at 10:30 PM.

09-15-2007, 01:12 PM	#5
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	Re: HO52 HO72 third member rebuild It doesn't have clutch plates, it is a Detroit No-spin, which is the same as a Detroit locker. What you did sounds good, my teeth had pitting but I cleaned them up with emery cloth and didnt go too crazy on it. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

09-17-2007, 08:43 PM	#6
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,537	Re: HO52 HO72 third member rebuild How are the drums and backing plate? Good/bad? Need a set?



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