Rear Axle Replacement

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 12:53 pm

Any one done it?

My rear end has been whining since 80k(119k atm) locking differential kicks in late, and the fluid at 90k was foamy. I think the vent tube got water into it.

I found a rear axle for $450.

Here are my questions:

How hard of a job is this to do? (I pulled the bed off last summer, when I did my fuel pump, so I'm not a novice)

Anything special I need to know?

Are the rear ends the same for all S-Series; so long as I choose the right axle ratio, number of drive wheels, and if it has a locker?

EDIT: It's really noisy when I'm making any turn to the right.

okie s10 · Post by **okie s10** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:12 pm

Just did it 2-3 weeks ago on my CC. All rears in 4WD S10's are same width, except the ZR2 is about 4" wider. This is what I put under my truck and it went in perfectly without a hitch. Everything matched up perfect so a straight S10 to S10 swap would also fall in place. But take it from me, the salt from northern winter roads is gonna make those U-bolts a chore to get off. Soak, soak, and soak with your favorite penetrating oil and still be ready with a cheater bar. My air impact would not budge them.

All that said, yes be sure your gears are the same as you taking out.

green02crew · Post by **green02crew** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 7:55 pm

U-bolts could also be cut and replaced if need be.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:05 pm

green02crew wrote:U-bolts could also be cut and replaced if need be.

With air or torch. A lot of us don't have the option. I do know where you are coming from though.

04crewvt · Post by **04crewvt** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 2:49 am

To get the u-bolts loose on my 95 Blazer I went to a local shop that worked on heavy equipment. They had to use the big impact hammer drill they use on school buses and dump trucks to break the u bolts loose.

philippe · Post by **philippe** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 6:23 am

cool! zr2 axle 4'' wider good thing to know but did i can change some thing to have the same 4'' wider in front ( no wheel spacer )

JaVeRo · Post by **JaVeRo** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 7:12 am

philippe wrote:cool! zr2 axle 4'' wider good thing to know but did i can change some thing to have the same 4'' wider in front ( no wheel spacer )

Your front is already a little wider. I have never measured it but the front is about 2.5 inches wider +/-.

James

Horsehammerr · Post by **Horsehammerr** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:33 pm

Change to ZR2 axle, 1 1/4" thick spacers both sides, 4 3/4" back set wheels, all equal same width as stock front. What I mean is any one of these three options will make your rearend the same width as the front.

philippe · Post by **philippe** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 4:40 pm

i mean wider like a zr2.i know that the front is wider then the rear on our zr5 but if tony put zr2 rear axle can he do some thing to wide is front.

drperry · Post by **drperry** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:39 am

A ZR2 axle should put you almost even with the front track width on a regular s-series.

And track width of a ZR2 rear should be about 3" wider than a regular axle...

Making the rear something like 1/4" or so wider than the front... Maybe 1/2" at most.

It's also an 8.5" differential instead of your 7.625" so you might need the drive shaft as well.

5-speed V6 powered Blazers and S10s should also have the 8.5", but the same width as the normal axle.