Rear Differential Bearings/Seals

[Jack O.]

Can the pinion and side yoke seals and beaings be replaced by simply removing pinion and yoke or does it take more of a teardown of the rear?
Thanks,
Jack

[Joe L.]

Re: Rear Differential Bearings/Seals

Can the pinion and side yoke seals and beaings be replaced by simply removing pinion and yoke or does it take more of a teardown of the rear?
Thanks,
Jack

Jack------


The seals can be easily replaced by simply removing the yokes and pinion flange. My recollection is that I once replaced the yoke bearings without disassembly of the carrier but I don't recall how I did it.

Replacement of the pinion bearings requires tear-down of the carrier.

[Duke W.]

Re: Rear Differential Bearings/Seals

The side yokes have to come off to replace the seals and you have to go inside the diff to remove the side yoke C-clips, so I don't know how the side yoke seals could be replaced without removing the axle from the car.

On most GM solid axle designs you can get inside the axle by removing the rear cover, but on C2/C3s the axle cover is a structural member that transmits spring loads to the frame, and it cannot be removed with the axle on the car.

Duke

[Gary R.]

Re: Rear Differential Bearings/Seals

Jack,
The case bearings and rear pinion bearing are pressed on. If you plan on replacing the bearings be sure to check the pattern and lash before you remove anything.

The axles, AKA side yokes, are held in place by snap rings. A 90* snap ring plier is required to remove them. Unlike other diff's the posi cross shaft does not have to be removed to get the yokes out. The yoke bearings are Torrington's and you would need to use a slide hammer with small jaws to remove them. I remove them with the posi case out of the carrier.

To be honest if you're going that far into it you might as well get a quality rebuild kit with USA Timken bearings and use CR seals. The kits cut corners with cheaper seals and I would not recommend using them, at the minimum use a CR pinion seal.