Rear axle leak

[choptop]

Went out to my 86 Extended cab yesterday morning just to find one of my new rims coated with what looks like axle grease on the right side. Capt, do you have the seals and bearings for the 10 bolt axles in your parts store? I am also considering changing the gear ratio since I will eventually be pulling a trailer with it, and every other truck I had that was post 83 was a 2:73 ratio. I am considering a 3:73 swap. Is that too steep for a 700r4 or would that be okay. When the 305 dies, I will be putting in a 350, or the L 69? out of my wifes SS monte Carlo. Any suggestions on gearing??

[VileZambonie]

If you will be pulling and have the 700R4 3.73's are perfect! Axle seal are cheap just go to autozone or wherever and pick up a pair. You'll need gear oil and either a cover gasket or RTV too

[choptop]

I have synthetic gear oil for it already ( I am a dealer for it) , and I think I have a new chrome cover for it as well. Bought it at a swap meet, just don't remember when. I will get the seals tomorrow, and probably bearings as well,I have rebuilt many engines, hundreds of brake systems, front suspension, paint and body, but have never done axles or transmissions, so I am not very knowledgable in this. Is there a post here from a previous time that I can get some info on, and where do you recommend getting the gears from? I have both Chiltons and Haynes manuals for these trucks, so I can go there, but some of the tricks aren't in these manuals.

[Swims350]

I done a search online for like gm gear change ot 10 bolt gear change and found a step by step with pics. That was a while back though, not sure where.

Don't be afraid though I changed them out in my monte carlo ss and it was my first time. I too consider doing the swap in our 84 also.

As for the axle seals, yea go to auto parts store and pick em up. They aint hard to change but usually you need a seal puller. I used a big slide hammer style one when I changed them on my old 86 camaro.

Also a little trick my dad said he does on all axle seals out back put a lil bit of rtv on the side without the rubber seal, that helps seal the metal seal to the metal axle tube.

[VileZambonie]

Setting up the ring and pinion is not a bad job but you have a few crucial steps.

pinion depth

pinion bearing pre-load

back lash

and a gear tooth contact pattern analysis

If you don't find your installation instructions helpful enough I'd be happy to help walk you through it. I can set them up in my sleep.

Make sure you have a good breaker bar and some method of holding the yoke from turning when crushing the collar. You can use an impact gun but if you overcrush it you have to start over with a new crush collar. An inch pound dial type torque wrench is the best for measuring turning torque but a beam will work also just not as accurate. If you don't have a pinion depth gauge you can use a dial caliper and a sheet of paper to ensure proper pinion depth.

[choptop]

Thanks guys. I am going to get everything rounded up and try to  get on it asap.Work is busy right now, so I don't know how soon. Hopefully real soon, I want my ride back. Don't get me wrong, I have my work truck, but I don't like it as much as this one.