Rear Axle Problems

[moodyholler]

I need help with my rear axle. 3:07 posi from a 72 4x4 blazer. It is very noisy and has .120" slop at the axle flange. I also wish to change it to 3:73's. Any special tools needed to make this change? Where can I find the procedure? My factory manual does not have this info. I have depth guages and dial indicators and am mechanically inclined. Whose gears do you guys like? Can I change the carrier bearings and pinion bearings out if gears are ok? thanks,moodyholler

[skid]

If you have that much slop, everything is probably worn out. The axle tips have worn off causing a slurry of abrasive particles that have worn everything (only a few thou of the axle tips are hardened). I'd replace everything....I'm in the same boat. I put in new axles and still have too much slop. I'm going to do a gear change as well eventually. Make sure you put a magnetic plug in your diff!