Hello New here to Forum,, I have a 50 Buick Special and on the way to Salinas my Rear End starting SCREAMING, I don't want to change the stock running gear just want help on how to go about rebuilding it (ANYONE) Thanks for having me !
Tear-down and bearing replacement is pretty straight forward on those axles, but setting the gears installed correctly for position & backlash has to be done correctly. Not something that should be done from a book or with chat room directions. If you can't find someone that has successfully done one in the past to help you, my suggestion would be to take it to a pro. Must be lots of them on the left coast.
If you can locate a replacement rear end backing plate to backing plate, you will be way ahead. But that may not be all that easy.
Welcome to the board. my rearend was howlin' on St Pats, my wife told me to step away from the cabbage. No simple answer to your question. Start by finding a manual and then tear into it. Or you may start by adding grease to it and see if that doesn't fix it.
I don't know about the 50 Buick but on my 54 with the Dynaflow the torque tube seal can leak causing ****** fluid to leak into the rearend causing said problem.
I agree with TagMan, I built rear ends for a living in Salinas years ago, if you've never built a rear end you need a pro, Several special tools a DIYer is most likely not going to have (ie Dial Indicator for back lash, Inch Pound Torque Wrench for pinion bearing pre load, Press for removing and installing bearings and so on) Try getting a hold of Ralph Willis @ Ralph Willis Automotive in Salinas he used to do gear setting if he can't do it I'm sure he can help you find someone who can. Or try Ring & Pinion Service/West Coast Differentials in Rancho Cordova (by Sacramento) www.differentials.com Hope this helps you. Mark
No one starts out as a pro and they never learn how without trying it the first time. You are right it is easier if you pay someone else to do it, and I can't fault you for that. But that has become the problem with hot rodding we think that a check book or a credit card it the answer to all of our problems.
well parts are kind sp****, but complete used ones are around. You can use the differentials from 1940 on up as I understand. best to get something in the 3:60 to 3:55 range. And a leaking torq tube bearing on the driveshaft could be the reason its screaming. automatic trans oil going into the diff.
Thank you very much for the info,, We have been tryin to figure out which bearing to replace first , eventually I will do them all, just tryin to get the howlin knocked out first...
If it is a axle bearing, do both. If it is the rear itself, do them all, and don't drive it until you do. Could have already ruined the gears.
Your better off getting a whole new rearend. Removing the driveshaft from the pinon gear on a Closed driveshaft Buick can be a real pain. Putting it back together is even worse and the manual says it takes "special" tools. The coupling is shrunk on I believe.
Warren, call Dan Williams @ williams equipment / right gear and axle...831-424-3717.. they are located south of salinas on hiway 101 at spence road. Tell them Dave Lewis sent you. If anybody in this area can do it , and do it right, it's them ! Dave
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