rear end

[Jim S]

I had the rear end on my recently purchased 75 L48 replaced with a slightly newer one. The mechanic informed me that he could not pull the side yokes to replace the oil seals, because the splines had mushroomed due to contact with some pins. Normally I do my own work; and I wish I would have here also, but so little time, so many things to do. He's a good mechanic. What I would like to know is this something I need to correct NOW, or could it wait; the inside was clean with no residue in the old oil. Also I need to get a manual that is better than Haynes, it just don't cut it on these cars.

TIA Jim

[Trebor M #25911]

Re: rear end

The side yokes are held in by snap rings. The rear cover needs to be removed to replace them. Yes, the splines can be damaged to the point that it would be difficult to remove yokes. They can be removed with a little work.The pin you talk about does get rubbed against by the yoke ends, but like all moving parts they do wear out. Replace the pin with a hardend replacement and buy hardend side yokes. The rear should be completly removed to do this work.If you like to do your own work ,try it. GOOD LUCK

[Joe L.]

Re: rear end

Jim----

As Trebor mentioned, the yokes are retained by c-clips; you cannot remove them from the differential unit while the unit is in the car. If, with the unit removed from the car and the c-clips removed, you still have difficulty removing the yokes, that is probably due to "mushrooming" of the yoke inner ends. That situation represents one of extreme wear and the yokes should be replaced at once.

[chester]

Re: odd rear end ??

Just wandering is there only one way to install the side yolks? Do they have to be put in a certain position or is there one way? Seems that they are opposite (the way the yolks set from either side) Have not checked inside the carrier but am going to open this weekend.

[Trebor M #25911]

Re: odd rear end ??

The side yokes can be slid in,in any position. The rear, posi or not, does slip and put yokes in all different positions to each other. In most diagrams they do appear to be in perfect opposite angles. After you drive it once and make some turns they can be in all different positions to each other.Good luck .