Rear axle help, need opinions...

[oldblue1968chevy]

I bought this rearend with some other stuff. It was used as a trailer. For some reason they took the yoke off also.

I need to know if its usuable if I put a yoke on it and new seal etc etc etc.

Its 373 and everything I want (Would need restoring of course).

Thanks guys.

[low&slow]

You shouldn't have a problem reusing it.

[1low]

looks like a runner to me

[dave2953]

Looks good to me. Mine looked similar to that when I got it.

[oldblue1968chevy]

So yall say its a runner even though it was used without the yoke on it?

What parts do I need to put it back together (up front) New seal etc.

THANKS

[dave2953]

A seal and a yoke and you should be good to go.

[oldblue1968chevy]

What models can I get a yoke from?

4x4 67-72's

73-87 squarebodys?

3/4 Tons?

What tools will I need to bring to the junkyard? And how hard is it to get off lol

[dave2953]

I know there are some differences among yokes. I think a lot of it depends on the size of the ring gear. Your best bet may be to try and ID the rear end and see what year it came from. I wasn't sure what year my rear end was from and was able to figure it out based on the number on the seal behind the yoke. Unfortunately you don't have the luxury, though.

[oldblue1968chevy]

Its a 72 or a 72 because its 5 lug coilspring with trac bar mount.

[oldblue1968chevy]

Just to clarify, it WAS used for an axle on a trailer WITHOUT pinion yoke. (Truck frame,chopped in half with a tongue in front of the bed).

[Hubscrub]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

Its a 72 or a 72 because its 5 lug coilspring with trac bar mount.

it must be a 72

[oldblue1968chevy]

^Woops, It must be a 71 or a 72. lol

[swierker]

Ok, I'm no expert on rear ends by a long shot and I saw a similar post like this a while back. A few people commented that because it was run without a yoke the pinion pre load is shot. You may be able to put one on there but without the pre load being set properly the rear end won't last long.

[Tmend]

I agree with the last post also you need the yoke to to seal the rear end without the yoke the seal won't hold oil so I would have had to been run with no gear oil that's a BIG NO NO
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[oldblue1968chevy]

It had a messload of gear oil in it when I took the cover off when i got it lol

[treveiger]

How much did the guy use it as a trailer? Was it just around the farm or to and from someplace?

[oldblue1968chevy]

His son/stepson hauled mulch in it and mowed yards? I believe thats the story.

[treveiger]

i was thinking if it wasnt drove down the road or very much at all itd be a better chance to use and not worry about it but that doesnt seem like the case...

[Jacfourteen]

If it had clean oil in it (no water), I think it should be fine. Like stated above, when you install yoke and seal you need to properly set the preload or it won't last long.

[LockDoc]

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I would try the yoke off of your current rear end if you are taking it out anyway...

LockDoc

[oldblue1968chevy]

Id rather just get one from a junkyard and leave mine as is..

How do I set the preload or who could I take it to (never messeed with rearends much..)

Thanks guys

[68chevyfuelie]

Most tranny or rearend shops should be able to setup the diff for you. You'll have to pull the carrier out, pop the seal and pinion bearing out, either peen your old crush sleeve or buy a new crush sleeve (which I highly recommend) and reinstall everything, tighten the yoke nut until you get around .010 pinion preload using a dial or beam torque wrench.

Should be a very straightforward job for most shops, most old mechanics should be able to do it as well. Probably 2 hours labour, should be pretty cheap to have done.

As far as I know, all 12 bolt yokes were either a small or large ujoint, with the small ujoint being the most common. I would think any yoke should work from 1960-1981 (when they stopped using 12 bolts).

[oldblue1968chevy]

Mmm, I gotta ol hot rodder that runs a repair shop, hes helped me on several occasions, I'll bring it to him and see what he says, I never thought of that! Thanks, I'll try'n talk to him this week sometime (Not workin' like he used to, gettin old).

Thanks for the info! Keep it comming