Playing around with my rear end

[69MyWay]

I just finished yanking the rear diff out of the 90 vette. It is a pretty straight forward operation. I decided to go to the extreme so that I could examine all parts and pieces up close and personal.

**Note** the trans was/is already removed from the car including the drive shaft and torque arm

1. Removed the spare tire carrier
2. Removed the rear leaf spring on the extension bolts, then the center mount.
3. Removed the tie rods on each end, then the center mount
4. Removed the half shafts
5. Removed the mounting bolts (one one each extreme end) that hold the rear diff mount, which is also the rear diff cover/housing.

6. Dropped diff on my legs (ouch)
7. Mounted diff in old cat liter plastic box
8. Removed rear cover/mount bolts
9. Exposed gears
10. Gave Nikki (C5_Nik) a quick lesson on how to determine gear ratio by counting the revolutions...Yep, it checks out as a 3.33

 

[69MyWay]

Here is an under body shot of the car.

Looks pretty empty now.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

So what gears did you decide on?

 

[69MyWay]

So what gears did you decide on?

TZracer has a direct account through his tropic zone racing company and can buy jobber wholesale. He is a big Richmond fan, and they do appear to be a direct fit. We are doing some horse trading. I am going to do some body work on his 71, and he is going to hook me up on the rear end.

So, the gears are the Richmond 3.75 ratio series.

I have to get with G.M. this week and order the rear trans housing gear/speedo set to make sure my speed reads as near to correct as possible.

 

[JT ZR-Won]

Chris, you'll like those gears. I had the exact same set in my '85. They're pretty awesome. #6 sounds like it hurts:eek

Hey, I might be up your way next month.......thinking of attending a ZR-1 show at SGC Corvette right across the Georgia border at Aaron Scott's.

Jay

 

[69MyWay]

Chris, you'll like those gears. I had the exact same set in my '85. They're pretty awesome. #6 sounds like it hurts:eek

Hey, I might be up your way next month.......thinking of attending a ZR-1 show at SGC Corvette right across the Georgia border at Aaron Scott's.

Jay

Come on over and visit with us. Nikki can cook some AWESOME food, so just let us know when, and what you like to eat and we will happy to see ya.

 

[JT ZR-Won]

Come on over and visit with us. Nikki can cook some AWESOME food, so just let us know when, and what you like to eat and we will happy to see ya.

Cool. I'll keep in touch with ya and let you know if I'm going for sure

Jay

 

[Ken]

Nikki can cook some AWESOME food

I can vouch for that!

_ken

 

[Piet]

Still wiping tears from my eyes...

:booty "Playing around with my rear end" :booty

After last months "Looking at Chris' rear end" comments...

Seriously, Looks great.
Can't wait 'till you install that 6 speed :L

 

[69MyWay]

Parts is parts

I am trying to get everything sorted and cleaned up. I have decided much against any wise financial advice to go ahead and also replace the rear wheel bearings. With 150K showing on the clock, no doubt they are due, although they appear to be in excellent shape.

I shopped around my local area and found that Discount Auto which is now becoming Advanced Auto Parts has them offered at $123 each. That is $30 cheaper a piece than Autozone, and you don't even want to know what Napa and G.M. wants for these little jewels.

Here is what the driver side rear looked like after yanking the diff out and axles, etc.

 

[69MyWay]

I totally tore the passenger side open, and have cleaned and detailed each part. Being clean won't make it work any better, but it makes me feel better at a later date when I need to get under there an everything looks new.

I basically used a mild scotch brite pad, soap and warm water to scrub all the parts. No harsh chemicals, no blasting. I have a deep sink in the garage that makes it easy to put these parts in there and wash them.

I really cleaned the rear caliper, then clear coated it. I need to get the rear rotors turned I guess before I slap it back together.

 

[Piet]

Ooops... just noticed you were doing this on your '90.
Thought this was your ride. Was trying to make sense of the pictures.

Will the '90 become the next project?

 

[P-ColaVette]

Looks pretty empty !

Hey Chris....

With all that motor hanging up front, I don't think your car could ever be called " Empty" !!!!!!!:eek :s :BOW



Steve.

 

[Ken]

I noticed in your passenger side photo Chris, that you have a "J-hook" in the factory tie-down spot. Is that what you used when we went to Gainesville? The latching-type hooks I use for mine go right through those mounts without need for the J-hook. :confused

Man, I wish I could talk myself into spending a day (or a month!) under mine cleaning it up like that. It sure looks pretty son!

_ken

 

[69MyWay]

Ooops... just noticed you were doing this on your '90.
Thought this was your ride. Was trying to make sense of the pictures.

Will the '90 become the next project?

THe 90 has been a sidebar project off and on since the first of the year. This was Nikki's ride for many many happy mostly trouble free miles. When the 2000 showed up under the Christmas Tree last year she kicked the 90 to the curb.

I sold my 1996 Geo Metro and used every last dime of that to buy the TPIS mini ram intake 52 mm TB, headers, single mass clutch conversion, and host of other go fast goodies. I bolted this stuff onto the 1990 truck roller block that I had already fitted with Edelbrock RPM heads, Crane hydraulic roller 2050 cam, double roller timing chain, 1.5 full roller rockers, trick flow push rods, 9.6:1 hyperutechtic pistons, fully balanced and first built for my V8 Fiero. It was overkill in the V8 fiero with a Weiand Intake and Edelbrock carb.

So, I shove all these goodies down the throat of the mild looking polo green six speed coupe.

It runs strong and hard. It blows my mind how much more pull it has through the RPM spectrum than the L98.

With the 3.75 rear gears, the miniram can really get a head of steam, and it should bolt like a rocket off the line.

With the new suspension parts, it will also be as tight as a new car. I mean, wheel bearings, bushings, u-joints, seals, brakes, brake hoses, springs.............

So, is it a new project?.....not really. I did have it for sale for a bit, but could not get any solid $$$$ to seal the deal. I expect to have some fun with it in the autocross circuit next year as the season is wrapping up fast for 2002 and the car is on the jack stands. I am also working on a 13" front brake conversion.

 

[69MyWay]

Here is the more or less finished passenger side. Notice how nice and shinny that new wheel bearing assembly is. That is a BCA brand (made in USA) bearing assembly for about $123 each at Discount/Advance Auto Parts. It is a nice piece.

I still have to replace the sway bar with either the Z51, or aftermarket version. I have a FE1 soft ride on this car. So, while I make up my mind and checkbook, I am just leaving the old bars in the car with the worn out bushings on the bars.

 

[69MyWay]

Now, compare that to the driver side.

I was a lazy bum last night and did not even step foot in the shop. This is not good, as I will have to work twice as hard now to get caught up.

 

[JT ZR-Won]

Man Chris what a difference. Pass side looks great! I wish mine looked that good. You've inspired me

Jay

 

[rrubel]

Hey, Chris.... what plans do you have for the old wheel bearings? I've got two of my own here that I can't bear to throw away - but can't find a place to rebuild them.

Looks good, btw.... I've been doing some of the same work on mine, but haven't tried to clean the suspension.
[RICHR]

 

[69MyWay]

Hey, Chris.... what plans do you have for the old wheel bearings? I've got two of my own here that I can't bear to throw away - but can't find a place to rebuild them.

Looks good, btw.... I've been doing some of the same work on mine, but haven't tried to clean the suspension.
[RICHR]

I am going to use them to build my C3 Vette trailer out of the rear clip to a 1980 Vette in my back yard. This will give me the correct bolt pattern, and I should be able to bolt them to an axle with light duty leaf springs on a home made frame.