Rear End help please, I was stranded today..

[Silverstanger]

I have been noticing a clicking/clacking sound on acceleration and decel. sometimes for like the past week. I thought it was a universal joint on the driveshaft..

 

 

Today while driving I heard something that sounded like a giant rock hit the underside of the truck.

 

After arriving at my destination.. I was suprised to find Gear oil covering the underbody and spare tire, etc.

 

I wiped the rear end clean and found a rip/puncture in the side of the rear-end housing (the center chunk part) next to where the pinion gear resides and very near the fill hole/plug.

 

After opening the cover on spot, I found 2 pinion teeth at the bottom and seen the teeth missing off the pinion.

 

Apparently the teeth shot off and punctured the case allowing all of the fluids to spew out.

 

 

What I need help with badly is.. I know nothing about Chevy rear-ends.. I only know about Ford (Mustang) rears.

 

The posi-trac. is different looking than a Ford (of course.. and I think better than the old Ford Trac-lok anyways).

 

 

I noticed the pinion said 41-11 (or vise versa) which tells me that it's 41 ring teeth to an 11 tooth pinion.. right?? That gives me 3.73s.

 

 

* A friend of a friend may have a rear from a newer than 95 model Z-71.. Like more towards 98+

 

Did they change rear-ends in the later years?? Because the friend of a friend was going to take the newer posi- unit out of the newer rear-end and use it in his older rear.. but it wouldn't fit for some reason.

 

That is yet to be found out why by my friend tomorrow.*

 

 

 

-- I got home by jb-qwik-ing the hole (which was actually a rip, so I beat the ripped out part back in but it broke, but was still able to keep it in place to jb it. which helped out alot for the hole fill) --

 

I guess my questions are:

 

Do I need to replace the rear end due to the hole.. it seems like the jb-weld is holding and is hard as a rock and good to 300F. It is also about a 5/16" hole not round though..

 

Could I weld the hole??

 

If I can get by or fix the hole, or it holds up with what I got.. then what name brand ring/pinion set do I need to get that is stronger than stock??

 

Since I have changed gears before I think I can handle this.. but how do I know what ratio gears for sure.. and what size ring/pinion set to get.. Ford is 7.5", 8.8" and 9" what about chevy??

 

I tried to run RPO codes to tell me things.. but didn't turn up any specifics like ring gear size and ratio.

 

 

It is a 1994 Chevy Z-71 with a TBI 350. The vehicle was manufactured in Sept. of 94.. so it is really like a 95 with the ignition bypass wire under the dash. However it has the old dash board.

 

Please tell me everything I need to know about Chevy rear-ends..

 

Could I change the gears in the back to a steeper gear.. or do I have to change the front gears too.. how does that work anyways with revolution differences in the transfer case??

 

Thanks,

 

Please help.. I am sick that my truck is broken

 

[Silverstanger]

Oh I also rode in 4H to help the rear end out because in 2H it was clacking alot being that two teeth (next to each other) on the pinion are missing and all.

 

I only went about 50-60mph tops.

 

I forgot to mention that there was a lot of clicking before the bang and puncture along with vibrations afterwards throughout the mph range.. mostly 30-40. and 60-70 (pre-inspection and findings)

 

 

-- okay I found an RPO code that says what I thought:

GT4 : AXLE REAR, 3.73 RATIO --

 

it doesn't have anything about what size ring gear I got though.. anyone??

[Shaners]

This is just a guess, but I would say a '98 rear gear set would work. I would say that '99 and up would not.

 

You will have to replace the gears with another set of 3.73's, other wise you will tear up your driveline when in 4WD.

 

If you want 4.10's then you will have to change out the front gears too...

[Off Road Red]

Correct me if i'm wrong but If it is a 94 1/2ton the rear end should be a 10 bolt (10 bolts on the ring gear). Any Z71 from 95 - 98 ran a 12 bolt, which should bolt up to your truck. Just count the bolts on your dif cover or ring gear and that will tell u what rearend you have.

[Black02Silverado]

Sounds like you might need to change out the housing as well. Having a hole in the housing can weaken it. At least that is my thought on it. I would check around. You might be able to fix it but then you will have to determine how much damage was done to the inside of the housing as well. Not sure if just replacing the insides will work. You will also have to clean that baby out really well and depending on how much metal flakes are in the oil then the axle bearings could be affected by the contamination.

 

Setting up an axle isn't hard, you just have to have the tools and paitence to do it.

[Silverstanger]

I checked the bolts.. its 10 bolt.

 

6 on top and bottom (altogether) and 4 on sides (altogether)

 

What size ring gear is the one I got and what size is a 12-bolt??

 

Thanks.

 

And what about driving in 4WD at what speeds.. 4H not 4L. Is that okay??

 

Thanks again. Mike.

[AirForceAngler]

You will have to change out the whole thing due to differences in anti lock brake systems through out the years. This will entail new housing (yours is broke anyhow), new carrier and new gears. Your best bet is to find a whole assembly at a salvage yard.

[Silverstanger]

Mine doesn't have ABS though!! What does that mean for me??

[96 Vortec]

Any Z71 from 95 - 98 ran a 12 bolt

That is new to me. Where did you find out this bit of information?

[AirForceAngler]

Mine doesn't have ABS though!! What does that mean for me??

It means that a complete replacement rearend from a salvage yard will cost you a lot less $$. You should be able to use just about any rear with the right ratio from a 1988-1994 1/2 ton.

[Silverstanger]

How do I identify for the positive traction style rear-end.. what is it called for Chevy.... ford calls it traction-lok.

 

What is the ring gear sizes.. 8.5" for 10 bolt and 9.5" for 12 bolt??

 

-- Can I weld the hole closed on the rear end?? --

 

Thanks!!