need some axle help/ advice

[stretch86]

I have a 86 c10 suburban ive had it a month and ive been hearing a crunching noise coming from rearend. took cover off to find that spider gears are junk previous owner had told me that they were bad also. So my options are replace spider gears, replace carrier with a posi, rebuild entire axle with a posi or find an axle at a junk yard that has a posi. Also this is a 10 bolt and i believe its been replaced cause rpo in glove box says its a locking rear end where as i have spider gears. My plan is to keep truck for long time and rebuild it as i go.

[stretch86]

If i was to rebuild axle with a posi how diffucult is it to do as i understand there are things that have to be in spec of tolerences

[stretch86]

Also how do i find out if its a 28 or 30 spline axle

[stretch86]

Would a newer axle with disc brakes and 5x5 patter be a direct swap besides proportion  valve

[Da67goatman]

there's quite a few ?s here so here goes:

The only bolt in is another axle from the same style truck 73-87.
If you're changing gear ratios I would look for another axle with the desired ratio and LSD,  If your brakes need replaced I would go through and refresh the axle at the same time, new axle bearings and seals at least.
I have and will always remove the prop valve which will help by allowing the rear brakes to actually do some stopping.
Axle spline count can be determined by counting the splines on the axle shaft or in the carrier/ spider gears.

[Stewart G Griffin]

Are you anywhere near PA?
https://colemans.com/shop/military-vehicles/rear-axle-assembly-chevy-gmc-u-s-g-i/

Brand new!

[stretch86]

im in nh if i was to put a posi unit in it with new bearings/seals and leave pinion alone and re use the old ring gear would i have to re mesh gears or would it just be better to find and axle from a junk yard