Hello folks, I have 1996 S-10 Blazer. I was driving it the other day and the rear end started smoking like crazy. I had it towed to my local shop and the mechanic said the rear end went. They want $1,000 to fix it. I found the parts I need for around $200. Therefore I'm going to fix it myself. My question is, is it something that I could do? I have a decent knowledge of mechanics. Are there and special tools that I would need? Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

Its definitely something you can do. I've only switched entire rear ends so I'm not sure if you would need any special tools. I'm sure a Gear Puller might be needed and you can rent those from Autozone.

 

Awsome, thank you. I'm hoping to start working on it this weekend.

 

Installing the gears isn't the issue. Setting them up for proper preload/backlash/all that fun jazz is the tough part (so I'm told/I've read). Most people (including myself) end up buying an entire used rear and swapping it out. I put new seals and bearings in the used rear before it went in. Still came out cheaper than paying someone to set up the gears in my existing rear.

 

Google is USUALLY your friend. You need to read up... I know from my old days that it's a PITA to set all those properly. Most guys ended up doing it 3 or 4 times before they got the gears right.
I do know Prussian Blue is essential
I ALSO suggest you buy an entire rear axle with proper gears.

 

I've done it. It's not hard with the proper tools. I had the entire rear axle out and on the workbench, though. And all of the tools available.

 

Prussian Blue the book?! Or the Neonazi Pop Duo? lol jk I know you mean the Permatex stuff.

I think just swapping entire rear ends would be easier... at least that's what I did. Although it was a PITA to get them U-bolts off. lol Busted all of my knuckles.

 

Swapping gears can be done at home but requires the right tools. By the time you buy them you will have way more in it than just buying a used rear for $3-400. Also if you have never done it before or have somebody with you that has I wouldn't suggest it. Doesn't take much error or time to ruin $200 worth of gears and you start over again.

 

you could always go to a local junk yard and pull a whole axle, then you would only have the bleed the brakes and hook up the drive shaft. only issue with that is its used and you may face another blown rear end