no i'm not talking about my big bumm.. lol.. kidding aside, I have a rear end out of a 1998 ls Blazer that i'm putting new backing plates and axles seals in. the problem is the parts people are asking me the axle code. apparently there are 3 different codes and since this is out of a salvage yard, I havent a clue where to find out what code it is or where to even look. there are no tags on the rear end that i can find. sooo how can i tell what axle seal i need? it isnt the rear end code that tells what ratio it is.. i know it is 3:43 gears from the glove box when i bought it.. they since have crushed the remains so I dont know what else to do..

 

On the right axle tube, near the carrier, there are codes stamped into the tube. Axle ratio, differential type, manufacturer, and build date are all there. Might need a wire brush to clean away the rust. First 3 characters are the axle ratio. The next 2 tell where it was made C=Buffalo, K=Canada. Next 3 indicate the day it was built in Julian Date form. The last character indicates the shift it was built on 1=first shift 2= second shift.

 

Thanks Capt'n .. I'll get ye ole wire wheel fired up tonight after work and try to find the stampings.. looking at the rear end from the back of the vehicle ya think they would be on the passenger side tube or drivers side? well, i'll take a crack at it and try to find them.. I appreciate your help.. thanks.

 

Right side axle tube is on the passenger side.