Nutti

I'm in the middle of rebuilding my rear axle but when I pulled the axle shafts the splines looked messed up so I'm goning to have to replace them along with a new auburn locker. So after giving it some thought on costs and time I thought why not get an used axle to bolt on and rebuild the axle next winter instead.

Now to my question. Are there any other cars that have the same axle width and same bolt positions, springbowl positions ect. to be a direct fit or do I have to find another 3rd gen camaro rear axle?

AlkyIROC

Only a diff from a third gen will fit into a third gen. You can also use a diff from a fourth gen but it's about 2" wider on each side so a different rim backspace is required to make it look proper.

Even if you just want to replace the axles, only axles from a third gen will be the proper length, 82-89 will be 26 spline. 90-92 will be 28 spline.

Nutti

Throwing that idea in the trash then...thanks for the info!

big gear head

One thing that I would like to add, don't get an Auburn. Get a Eaton Posi, Eaton Truetrac, Yukon Dura Grip or Power Trax Grip LS.

Nutti

Okay, but why? They seem to cost alot more...

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iTrader: (14)

The alburn is a cone style limited slip, and once it wears out its not rebuildable and is trash, not to mention all the 'wearing' produced metal dust and filing that go through all the bearings.

Its cheap for a reason.

Nutti

Where is this cone located? When I opened my axle it had 2 plates on each side of the center shaft with 5 springs pushing the plates apart. When I searched the net for what kind of locker this was, I found that the auburn race series looked exactly like that. Is that the cone locker? The plates pushing onto one set of spidergears or how does it work?

Maybe I don't have an auburn locker now? Any ideas on what it could be based upon my discription?

big gear head

You have an Auburn. The cones are behind the axle gears. You can't see them unless you disassemble it. Lots of wear problems with the Auburn and it's scrap metal when it wears out. Can NOT be rebuilt.

Nutti

Okay...how many miles does a unit hold up? I'm ****-tight on cash now and really want to get it togeather for the summer season. I'm thinking if it holds up for 10years of summer driving I have probably already sold the car. I'm looking at 1000$ for diff and axles here in finland even if I go with auburn.

Formula 305

Easy driving it'll probably last decades, but what is the point of buying a POSI unit. If you baby the car you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the posi & open rear diff.

If your on a tight budget, and you can get the parts shipped across the pond, 4th gens came with gear style limited slips, called Torsens, from 1999-2002 in LS1 powered cars. I found a limited slip with the gears I wanted, on eBay for less than $300 shipped. Added a set of 28 spline summit racing axles for another $200 or so and a bearing/shim kit, which are cheap. You will have a unit that, although used, will not wear out like the Auburn, requires no posi-additive, and works better than an Auburn ever will.

All the numbers I threw up there are US dollars, with shipping to the continental US, so your prices may vary, but it's worth looking into.

big gear head

If you have to buy a new differential then why not just get a good one? Have you priced a Dura Grip or a Power Trax Grip LS?


If you already have a Auburn and it's new then it will last a long time if you drive it normal. If you abuse it then it may not last more than 9 months. If it's already used then there is no telling how long it will last.

Nutti

That's true, and I do smoke tires now and then. I need to do more research where I could get my hands on something that isn't way off in price and fits my rearend. I already got new 3.42 thick gears, installation kit and new wheel bearings in the garage. It was never my intention to swap everything out but when starting tearing it apart surprise after surprise came up.

The bolt holding the cross shaft had snapped at some point causing the shaft to wiggle and eating itself up plus eating the housing. So I have to get a new carrier that fits my thick gears. When I pulled the axles they also had lots of wear on the splines.

Now I'm thinking of getting a new posi carrier and bolt it togeather and drive this summer, tear it apart next winter and swap the axles. How does this plan sound? Is it just stupid to bolt it togeather with the old axles? I checked the dollar to euro value yesterday and it's almost the same now so I doubt I'll even get it any cheaper ordering parts from the us. I'm looking at 550-650$ for a posi/ls carrier here. With that price there is no way I can afford spending another 550$ on axles it really sucks now...

Formula 305

Yes it is silly to run old axles with a new carrier, for a lot of reasons. Mainly, if your going to buy a new carrier, you may as well buy a 28 spline piece, as it will be much stronger than the older, pre-1990 26 spline axles/carrier.

Also, if you didn't see my previous thread, look for a used carrier and save yourself $300 bucks. And $550 for axles seems steep, but idk what is available in Europe

Nutti

I found an axle from camaro -95 with some sort of locker and 3.27 gears for 500$. Is that a direct fit? Just take the carrier and axles from it and install all new bearings and 3.42 gears in my axle?

big gear head

As far as I know there are no aftermarket 2 series differentials for the 7.5 rear end. The thick 3.42 gear is going to be a huge problem. You are not going to find an after market 2 series differential that will work with the thick gears. You need a standard thickness 3.42 gear. You may be stuck with using a used 2 series Auburn unless you swap that thick gear for a thin one.


There is nothing wrong with using axles again as long as they are not worn. If they are worn where the bearings run on them then they must be replaced.

Nutti

Alright, that sorts everything out. I'm going with the auburn, may it last me long. Sticking with the axles I got also, called up a friend today and he said exactly the same thing and told me to just run them until they break.

Thanks so much for all you guys input on this!

big gear head

Just be sure that it's a 2 series Auburn.

AlkyIROC

The carrier and gears will fit however the 28 spline axles are too long to fit into a third gen diff. I doubt they are 3.27. The 3.27 gears were only available for a third gen 9 bolt diff.

Nutti

Yes it is a 2 series auburn, I'll be getting it from the same dealer I got the gears and installation kit.

Nevermind about that 4th gen axle, I'm not getting it and who knows what kind of disaster could be found in that one anyways.

Nutti

Oh! One more thing, is 80w90 mineral oil + addative the goto for the auburn?

I can only find ford additive not gm, is that okay?

big gear head

The Ford additive will work great. You may find that you need 2 bottles of the additive. If it pops and jerks with 1 bottle then add the other.

Nutti

Cool, and the mineral oil? Is that okay or should I go with semi synthetic?

big gear head

No need for synthetic. The regular stuff will work fine.

Nutti

Great, thanks!