Hey all. I've got the 12 bolt non posi out of my 64 C10 right now to replace the axle bearings and seals. Well, I got everything apart and found a few surprises that I'm hoping you all can help me with. Truck has been sitting at least 20 years in the same spot before I got it. First is the gear oil.....well more like sludge. Looks like it was packed with Moly grease it's so thick! I've had it draining into a pan for 2 days now and it is literally stuck in there like Heinz 57! I did a little googling to see if there was some hybrid oil/grease thing that they might have done back in the day but it's not looking like that's the case. Thankfully it coated the gears so well that I don't think moisture messed anything up. But how do I get this **** out of there? I mean it's on there good. The R&P spins smoothly but there is a ton of resistance from the viscosity. The next thing is when I knocked the bearings out of the end, it looked like there was a thrust washer in there. None of the images I've found show this washer so I'm beginning to think it might just be a dirt shield from the bearing itself. I just wanted confirmation before I put it all back together without the shield. I beat the snot out of it getting it out but hopefully you guys can make heads or tails out of it. Thanks as usual for all the help, NAES
It should use straight roller bearings for the wheel bearings, and a seal. No washers that I know of. It might be part of the seal? early seals often had a metal plate on the back side. I don't know off hand what solvent would work best on that, I'd start with mineral spirits, and move on to carb cleaner/lacquer thinner next
my neighbor restored a tractor this summer and wanted to put new seals in it, the transaxle had a grease/goo that looked a lot like that. after letting it drip for a month and having it still coating everything, he started to clean up the bearings axle parts. all the parts looked like new despite this tractor having a hard life of work, and then neglect in a field. he poured the grease/goo back in! his theory was it was probably better than what he could buy at tractor supply. i am not suggesting you reuse it but.....
Can't picture why that washer would be there,try Kerosene or #2 fuel oil to clean it up.I remember that gear oil in 5 gallon drums for trucks.
Update. I spent a good amount of time yesterday cleaning out all that goop in there. Lots of paper towels, super clean, engine gunk, etc. Still not perfect but I'm comfortable filling it up with gear oil and running it. Only surprise was 1 chipped ring gear tooth near the outer edge and 2 teeth that have some mild pitting. Nothing worth pulling everything apart and replacing. I'll just run her till she blows! Diff and gears are spinning with way less effort. I'm confident that the gear oil will work its way back where it's supposed to be lubing stuff up once I get a few miles on it. But that's a ways down the road yet. Thanks guys for the help, NAES
my guess is that if you pull it apart, and carefully inspect the pinion gear, you'll find a bunch of cracked teeth.
It looks like someone put a lot thicker viscosity gear lube in that rear axle and most likely in an effort to quiet down worn gears. I'd follow Squirrel's suggestion to the letter and check the gears and everything around them for cracks or damage and it may be worth the money and effort on that one to have the carrier and pinion bearings replaced. I'd pick up one of those little pump weed sprayers at Ace hardware or Lowes or a box store to use to spray the kerosene or diesel to flush it out. They don't cost that much and you can reach in with the nozzle to flush out hard to reach spots.
Sometimes guys filled the axle with a grease gun to quiet 'er down...especially to sell it. Just sayin'...looks like no harm done. You will find out when your take off with regular gear oil. If it's noisy then what? Hell if was me I'd fill 'er with grease again if that happens.
The reason I mentioned cracked pinions, is because I've seen a few of them on those truck 12 bolts. I first learned my lesson about them on the starting line at the old Tucson Dragway, when half the teeth came off the pinion gear....
Ill pop the diff out and inspect the pinion after i clean it up some more. If those gears look alright ill roll the dice on it. Otherwise ill swap in something later with 6 lugs and disc brakes.
I have a 1954 Chevy delray 210 will a 1965 to 1970 Chevy Impala Biscayne 12 Bolt Posi Rear End fit underneath it? Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Agree, probably got heavy lube to keep it going with worn parts. Solvent will get it out. Might un bolt the rear, lay it down like a bowl and fill the whole axle with diesel or kerosene. Get it out of everything. You're gonna do the brakes and u joints anyway, right? paint it up while it's out. Oh **** this got outta hand.
Maybe you should start a new thread with this question. You'll likely get some answers, but as Squirrel said, measure one and decide for yourself. Below measurements are axle flange to axle flange......
I wouldn't bother trying to find a 65 to 67 Nova 12 bolt, even if you find one; it will cost more than a new Nova cost, they are quite collectable.
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