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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Rear Drivelines, Drive Axles and Gearing => Topic started by: RivMan on May 22, 2010, 01:14:01 pm

Title: How bad is it (Rust in axle tubes)?
Post by: RivMan on May 22, 2010, 01:14:01 pm

So I have a 76 K10 with 3.07 gears, and I wanted to swap for a set of 3.73's. Instead of messing with swapping out the ring and pinion, I found a set of axles locally that are an exact match to what I have, only with 3.73's.

I tore the front apart, replaced the seals, barrings, and ball joints and it looked great.

I started ripping into the rear, and have found some issues. First thing I noticed is that someone had put the diff together without 3 of the 4 washers behind the spider gears, and they had a lot of play in them. I replaced the gears, shaft and spacers, and it seems ok now.

The next thing I noticed is that there is a lot of rust specks in the axle tubes, is this normal?

(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Eo3qDhGkQHM/S_gci74Py-I/AAAAAAAAATM/Iv3KGmEalGM/s912/IMG_2950.JPG)
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Eo3qDhGkQHM/S_gckGOkCzI/AAAAAAAAATY/T-gaV1qyePg/s912/IMG_2952.JPG)

This project is getting to be more of a headache, but I shouldn't have to worry about them for a while.

Thanks
-Rob

Title: Re: How bad is it (Rust in axle tubes)?
Post by: choptop on May 22, 2010, 03:25:12 pm

Id just clean them out the best I could, and run them. Maybe change the gear oil out after a couple of months driving them to get what came loose that you couldnt get out, but wouldnt worry too much other than that.

Title: Re: How bad is it (Rust in axle tubes)?
Post by: Irish_Alley on May 22, 2010, 06:57:14 pm

x2 you will be ok

Title: Re: How bad is it (Rust in axle tubes)?
Post by: Mr Diesel on May 22, 2010, 10:19:39 pm

This can happen if the vent tube is missing or broken. Make sure it is attached has the vent canister attached to it up above axle by the frame where water won't get on it.

Title: Re: How bad is it (Rust in axle tubes)?
Post by: RivMan on May 24, 2010, 08:27:37 am

Thanks guys!

-Rob

Title: Re: How bad is it (Rust in axle tubes)?
Post by: Josh454 on May 24, 2010, 06:33:20 pm

How stuck on is it?  If it seems kind of flaky, I would try to booty-fab something up to try and push the majority of the crap out.  I would pull the carrier and take something (I am thinking a toilet brush taped to a broom stick) although I am sure you could come up with something fancier and dislodge as much as you can.

It would bother me thinking about all the rouge stuff floating around.