Is there supposed to be a correct way of installing the differential side yokes? The reason I ask is that every drawing or restoration photo I have seen always shows them to be 90 degrees to one another. I would think it would not matter because the only way they'd stay that way is if you only drove the car in a straight line, but I figured I better ask the experts before I put the differential cover on, just in case I'm missing something. Thanks.
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Re: Differential Side Yokes
I certainly agree that the procedure covered in the service manual, with diagrams no less, of the alignment of the rear yokes seems to be a short-lived effort. I have heard, but never confirmed, that the underlying reason for this alignment is to ease the reinstallation of the differential unit in the car. It wouldn't seem to me like it would make much difference, but that's one thing I've been told.
One very important point that I'd like to make, though, is that very often GM will specify in the service manual a certain procedure which SEEMS unnecessary. Rarely do they specify WHY the procedure is necessary, although in later manuals(84+) they've started to do this once in a while. Sometimes, when you don't follow their procedures, you find out later, and much to your chagrin, why they were important. In fact, I really believe that procedural "shortcuts" and failure to follow the GM-developed repair procedures is the primary reason that folks having their cars serviced by GM dealers experience unsatisfactory results.
Anyway, my general rule is to follow the GM repair procedure EXACTLY. I deviate only when I am ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY CERTAIN that an alternate procedure is acceptable. Rarely can one be this certain. Especially in cases like the rear yoke alignment procedure, it is very simple and easy to follow the GM procedure. So, I do.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
The Yokes on me
I'm gonna stick my neck out here, but it seems to me that the whole concept of a "differential" in the first place is to allow one wheel to rotate more than the other in a turn, to compensate for the variance in "arcs" traversed by wheels on the opposite sides of a vehicle when making a turn. This means that no matter where you place the yokes, after you make the first turn, they will no longer be where you left 'em. The spools used in drag-racing are sold with the warning: "Not For Street Use". I always thought that was because the spools were not "differentials", and made no allowance for turns.... both wheels are forced to rotate at exactly the same rate.
A Corvette Posi Rear is a differential, and allows one wheel to rotate at a different rate than the other. I don't think it matters where they are initially set. Am I being dumb here? ... Don't worry... I have thick skin.Comment
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Re: The Yokes on me
I don't think that there is any doubt that the differential yokes will not remain in the same position relative to one another. We've all correctly figured that one out. However, it's hard to believe that the GM engineers who developed the service manual procedures didn't understand that, too. Therefore, I would have to conclude that they had some reason for specifying this service procedure other than the expectation that the yokes would remain in the same position relative to one another. Convenience of re-installation of the differential/half-shafts, as I've been told, would be a plausible reason although, as I mentioned, I don't see how it would benefit this.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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