GMC Repair: rearend, rear axle assembly, 350ci motor

Question
hi i have a 95 gmc 3/4 ton 4x4 with a 350ci motor,
5 speed maual trasmission.i bought the truck a week and a half ago. i pulled the cover off the rear end
and a bolt from the carrier bearing cap bottom one on right side fell out it was snaped in half and
top one on right was lose and backing out. also
spider gears are realy chewed up. lots of metal
shaveings on magnet. i see the ring and pinion gear,
and carrier bearings have been replaced.
what would cause this? and how do i tell what size
rearend i have to buy the right parts to fix it
thanks, lee  dayton,mn

Answer
That's probably WHY he sold the truck because the rear end was chewed up most likely from abuse and or it had a leak either at the cover gasket and or one of the axle seals was leaking and it ran out of fluid causing this type of damage.

machine stamped on the ring gear and on the pinion there are ID #'s that tell you what size ring gear and pinion you have.

There are also letters stamped on one of the axle tube that also identify the size of the rear end.

If you cannot get that broken bolt out your going to have to replace the complete rear axle assembly.

If you CAN get it out and you have no damage to the inside of the casing you will have to replace the complete inside gaers and this is going to be VERY EXPENSIVE and is NOT a project unless you know how to setup the gears and match the ring gear and pinion using SPECIAL TOOLS.

Unless you have a very good working knowledge and the expertise and tools to setup the gears PROVIDED that there is no casing damage, I would STRONGLY suggest that you replace the complete rear axle assembly with one from a salvage yard.



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