1985 GMC 1/2 ton Rear Differential

[85chev6.2]

Wondering if anyone has experienced the things that I have been while taking this thing apart. The small spider gears went boom in my 1985 Chevy 6.2 diesel. A normal thing for Chevy's and the soft iron used in the rear diff's. Anyway when taking out the shattered pieces, I managed to piece together one complete gear and almost the second one. Short about 2 teeth worth. Found the majority of the pieces in the top of the diff where the oil channels down to lubricate the pinion gear. I still think that there is a piece or pieces in there that I cannot reach. Thinking of removing the yoke and pinion gear to gain access to this area before putting things back together. Seeing that I am this far into this thing why not eh? Question is the nut that holds the driveshaft u-joint or yoke I call it is about an inch if not bigger. When I remove this nut will the pinion gear come right out of the housing or is there something else that needs to be done before I can remove the pinion gear? Going to have to wedge a 2X4 in there to hold it still while I try to get that nut loosened but I have looked everywhere else and have come up short on the number of pieces needed to complete the two spider gears. I have inspected the ring and pinion and the two side spider gears and all else looks ok, a little chewed up here and there but nothing that should cause any problems I don't think. Anyone out there willing to reply to this and help a forgetfull old man try to keep his junk on the road... LOL...Can't afford 50 grand for a new truck....

[way2old]

If the spiders exploded, I would replace all bearings in the rear end. Thgat includes the carrier, pinion and axle bearings. The small metal shavings will get into the bearings and cause them to fail sooner than later. it is a lot of work,but it will be well worth it in the future. The pinion should need to be knocked or pressed out of the housing. Usually the front pinion braring is a tight fit and needs a little persuasion to come out. Good luck.

[crank.it]

hi gentelmen-I'am all for keeping the junk on the road...my chevy 1990 blew the rear about a year ago,,,I weighed the options and found it better to go with a junk yard rear end ,the cost of rebuilding my old one was pretty close to a junker plus the loss of the truck for a couple of weeks..up side is I got a newer year 98 99 rear end out of a 70,0000 mile wrecked blazer...swapped it myself and been great ever since...just thought I would give another option....crank.it

[85chev6.2]

Thanks guys for the suggestions. I have been having a "great" time doing this... Not!! My hands are not as small as they once used to be. Broke a couple of telescoping magnets, a few coat hangers, and dropped numerous tools into the bucket of diff oil before i got smart enough to move the darn bucket!!! Trying still to locate one more piece of spider gear with two teeth on it that seems to have vanished... Well i think i know where it is. Up top in the oil journal that lubes the pinion bearings. Have to pull that out and hope that i can find it... Someone care to chime in on how to "flusht the housing of all the filings and small pieces of gear left in there?

[way2old]

Hey cranky----be careful who you call a gentleman. There is no flush that I know of that will get all the debris out. Either remove the entire carrier assembly and clean the housing or take a chance on just cleaning it with the gears in place. That will definately cause the carrier and axle bearings to fail also. Cranky had a good suggestion as another option. Good luck

[crank.it]

hey their 2 old......still hang'in about are ya well go to hear from ya...and I'll keep the gentelmen thing to a minimum...rear ends can be tricky get the crush sleeves right and the backlash oooohhhh the backlash.....but long as your having fun 85 chev.....crank.it