1988 iroc z with lsd when I grab wheel how much end float should I feel in axle

Thanks
Gary

 

0.060" is not excessive. The "C" clips and side gears in the differential allow a little movement. More than 1/8" might warrant opening the diffy and looking at the side gears and clips. That's not always a lot of fun, especially the spider gears, their shaft, and lock bolt.

[img]www.wwdsltd.com/files/Saginaw10AxialPlay.jpg[/img]

I've had those get a little loose and placed wave/spring washers between the side gear and clip, but be careful the clip still locks into the recess in the gear so it doesn't come apart at road speed. It does need a little float for thermal movement.

 

9-bolt or 10-bolt?

 

Good question - A reminder that one should never assume.

 

10 bolt
Its hard to measure the end float but probably bit more than 1/8 Ill leave it for now unless you tell be otherwise as plenty of work to do restoring the Iroc.

Thanks

Gary

 

More than 1/8" is probably too much.

Sounds like maybe it used to be a posi but is now worn out. Reason is, the side gears, which are the parts that retain the axles in the outward direction via the C-clips, sink farther into the carrier as the clutches wear, meaning the axles get more and more play, as time goes on. Worse, since it would be an Auburn POS, it can't re repaired. Use it up once. throw it in the trash, buy something decent to replace it.

Like Vader said, 1/16" is about right for one of those in good working condition. It's possible to get it lower than that with the right choice of C-clips or by adding shims. Sounds like yours is rather far from like-new condition.

 

If replacing a 10 bolt what do you guys use.

 

In 2021, a Torsen out of a 98-02 4th gen, or a True-trac. Both worn-gear type. Back in the day, an Eaton (the original "posi"), or a Yukon, which is more or less a copy of the Eaton, in terms of design.