GM Axle Inspection

I picked up a GM axle LSR weekend from another HAMB member and need some direction please. I haven't messed with axles in the past so I would like to know what I need to look over to determine its condition. It needs all the brake goodies which I'm not worried about. I'm more wondering about how to inspect the gears and bearings.

2)which way is up on the '55 axles? It looks like it should be one way (pumpkin offset down)but that puts the drain plug down.

3) there is hole in one of the tubes (looks drilled). I'm guessing that shouldn't be there right?

4) Lastly, the numbers are as follows:
H108 GM16
30707306

 

Hole on tube is for the breather and also held on the brake T. Drain plug should be DOWN up and it would not be a drain Yes?

 

Correct, it would not be drain. That said how do you fill it?

 

Fill it in the plug about half way up the chunk. That doubles as the dipstick too btw

 

Here's how it was in my setup:



I completely forgot to bring you the rest of the brake parts I had. Odds are they were all shot though. Oh and that reminds me, I think one of the drum back plates was on upside down, I'm not sure which one though. Hope all is well with it and that it works out for you.

 

inspect pinion gear for cracks. you have to remove it to do this. also check all the bearings. the pinion nut tends to loosen, wearing the yoke where it contacts the bearing, so it won't actually preload the bearings. and the crush sleeve always needs to be replaced when working on them, I think summit still sells them cheap.

H 10 8 is August 10, 1958 (if it's a 55-64 chevy rear)

 

The 306 tell me that is is an original 55-56 . The date should have a 4, 5 or 6 at the end, not an 8. 57 and later 3 rd member uses an 899 housing. Looking at the suspension in the picture, how will the axle be able to lift on one side more than the other if the front mounts are bolted through without a very large rubber type bushing, and even then it will not work well as the bars appear to be mounted solid to the axle housing, and will want to stay parallel.

 

It very well may be a 6 not an 8. I need to hit it with a power wire wheel, not the hand brush. That picture was from the guy I got it from. It will be on leafs in my car.