Stupid Rear axle!
#1
Stupid Rear axle!
So I was going down town the other day and I hear a huge crack from the back of my truck. Only to find out my rear differential blew up. Gears came loose and shot out the cover. It's an '86 Chevy K5 Blazer. It is stock. I need advice on what I should put on instead? Should I just put on a GM 14 bolt or will a Detroit Locker do fine? Need advice.
#2
Spider gears, or ring and pinion let go? The 8.5" axle should handle the power/weight. A 14 bolt is almost always an 8 lug, but there are a few 6 lug ones out there(metric semi floating) if it's just the spiders that let go, a lockrite would be a simple fix if the carrier isn't damaged
#5
A 14 bolt full floating axle is a great upgrade. They are easy to work on, relatively cheap and available. You should not ever worry about breaking a 14b unless you're a maniac on the throttle...
Pros:
Strength
Initial cost
Direct bolt in
Cheap disc brake conversions
Full floating axle shafts (shaft only applies power, does not support weight of vehicle)
Stock ratios commonly 4.10 or 4.56
Cons:
Weight
Size (if running less than 35" tires pumpkin will become anchor)
8 lug front end need
New rims necessary
My opinion would be to upgrade now instead of dropping any money into a 10blt, but I'm just one man.
Pros:
Strength
Initial cost
Direct bolt in
Cheap disc brake conversions
Full floating axle shafts (shaft only applies power, does not support weight of vehicle)
Stock ratios commonly 4.10 or 4.56
Cons:
Weight
Size (if running less than 35" tires pumpkin will become anchor)
8 lug front end need
New rims necessary
My opinion would be to upgrade now instead of dropping any money into a 10blt, but I'm just one man.
#7
Also, why is it necessary to switch to the 8 lug? Is it only for Aesthetics? Stronger I'm sure. Also, I know GM stamp the diff gear ratio and limited slip or not onto the diff. Where on it could I find this info?
#8
the ring gears have the numbers stamped on them that tell you what ratio it is so you have to take the cover off. reading the tag on a old axle is never a good idea cause you dont know what the previous owner did to the axle.
#10
I agree unless you plan on going wild shortly. I have a set of k5 axles under our rustbucket mud buggy (came with them). Even with 36s and us ******* the crap out of it in the woods every winter for the last 12 years they have held up fine.