ok, this is what its came down too, is it true?

mechanic couldnt figure out why they were grinding, he called some big wig in washington, and he said camaro axles from 89-92 are a little TINY bit wider than 82-88.. so thats why mine is grinding, because i took out the 28 spline axles from the 89 iroc, and put them in my 82's rear, with the posi carrier and brand new 2 series, 3.73 gears, so thats why when I turn, it clanks, is because my axles are not snug, and its clanking back and forth, so yeah, im screwed... i have spent almost 1k on this rear, and I am not one inch ahead of when i started, its been a total living hell from the start. I NEVER HEARD ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT AXLE SIZES.. I thought they were all the same width.. what the hell? what do I do now? my rear end works great except when I turn.. should I shim it? can I grind down the axles a little? what is the actual width difference between the axles? let me know my options, i am SCREWED, UPSET, ANGRY, AND OUT OF MONEY, and I desperately need your guys help. please. No rude comments such as "SHOULD OF GOT A FORD REAR END" or things like that.. whats done is done, now Ijust need help getting it to work.. please post what you can to help.. thanks guys. I need it!

Nate

 

The 28 spline axles, from my understanding, are slightly thicker than the 26 spline axles. I don't know if the wheel bearings are any different, but the 28 spline axle bearings might also be wider. Worth checking into at least. You might be too tight on clearances with the old 26 spline wheel bearings, and that's causing the problem. It would most certainly destroy the bearings and that could be the noise you hear.

Unless you thought of this and changed the bearings too.

 

Now, why the hell would we promote Ford here? (Just Joking, I know the Ford 9" is a strong sucker.)

Seeing as how many people have dumped 28 spline axleshafts into their 82-88 rears, I doubt this is the problem.

Plus, I did a check, and all the 82-92 axles used the same rear axleshaft (aka rear "wheel") bearings. But if they weren't changed, or, if the axleshafts you picked up were really worn out where the bearings met...

Hey... '82? Did you re-use the existing posi? Was that the Eaton gov-lock? I know it's an 83-84 thing, but maybe it was around in '82? When my gov-lock posi (really a locker) bit the dust, everytime I turned, there was a loud BANG from the back. I did some S-turns in a parking lot at 1/2 MPH (really slow), and leaned out the driver's door. When I made a left turn, when the posi banged, I could see the rear left tire actually pop outwards! When I saw that, I drove home, taking roads that wouldn't involve sharp turns (aka traffic lights).

And it takes a while to figure out a route like that.

Oh, duh, nevermind, the gov-lock was a 26 spline carrier. Oops. But maybe that'll help? And who did he call in washington?

 

the posi was out of the 89 rear.. the posi had all new bearings, and looked to be in mint cond, same with the axles.. what the heck is causing this noise?

 

please anyone??? offer ideas please... i need all your help and tech experience.

 

Okay, calm down. Descibe exactly what is happening when you hear this grinding. If it only happens in a turn then your posi unit could be fried. I'd lift the rear, pull the cover and spin the wheels in different directions. If you hear it then, it's probably the posi. It should be VERY pronounced with the cover off.

Look for play in the axles and the carrier. If the axles slide in and out too far you've got problems. The carrier should not move back and forth at all. This problem is only going to be solved if you sit down and try everything yourself. It cannot be solved online without more information, because we can't hear and see what you can.

 

sorry, im just frustrated, my bad, the rear end does not grind whatsoever when your going stright, only when you turn. its an awful sound. its the sound that makes your butt pucker when you hear it. The actual posi unit looks to be MINT cond, brand new bearings, etc... nothing wrong that I can see. great posi fluid, evetything seems tight. how come randy's said that the axles were longer in 89 - 92 rears? he said thats why its clanking when I turn, because my axles are sloppy.. is this true? i just dont know where to go frmo here, ive spent so much money, and I am not one inch ahead than when I started.. thanks for the replies keep them coming please.

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of Camaros... :sillylol:

To my knowledge, the 28 spline axles are not any longer, but they are wider than the 26 spline axles. I don't think the axles are your problem.

An '89 posi unit is hardly what I would consider "mint" condition, no matter how good it looks. I doubt you can tell just by looking at it. If you only experience it in turns then there's little else it could be but the posi. When you're going straight there's no involvement by the posi, so even if completely trashed you wouldn't hear anything. I'd just shell out $100 for an SLP takeoff unit and eliminate all doubt.

 

iknow this is a hard question to ask, but you think thats honestly my problem? the posi? you dont think its what randys said how my axles are too long and clanking back and forth when turning? i will buy a 100.00 take off unit , but i dont want to buy that, stick it in the car, then have it grind again, know what i mean? you really think thats what it is?the ring and pinion are brand new, set correctly, axles seem nice, dont know what else it can be.. let me know.

nate

 

Raise the rear, pull the wheels and rotors/drums and see if the axles move around. There's no other way to tell. They shouldn't wiggle around at all, and only move in and out a very slight amount, if any. If it were your axles I'm sure you'd notice it all the time instead of just in turns.

I honestly believe it's your posi. I have no reason to lie to you.

 

hey bigruss, I dont think your lying to be one bit, you have been an AWESOME help, amazingly helpful, I trust you totally, thats not the worry, im just asking if you really think thats what it is, because honestly im pretty much out of cash, ive spent WAY to much on this rear, and I jsut want it done and out of the way, know what i mean? soI am willing to spent 100.00 more to put in the posi, if we honestly think thats what it is, or if it could be anything else.. thanks for all your help, keep em coming.. what else can it be? honestly? if i put it on a lift, and wiggle it, and they move alot, does that mean its the posi? or the axles? i didnt quite understand you.. what would be the synptom? thanks

nate

 

i can buy a take out SLP posi unit from a guy for 50.00 with really low miles on it. 28 spline, 2 series, 7.625" rear, this is waht i need right? since my gears are 2 series? is this what I should do?

nate

 

I don't know where gm tech assistance is but, maybe they are in washington and thats who he called. I think that if he called them then you can forget what they said to him they are great at telling you what you already know and seem to get lost in things just as easy as we do. but, when it comes to warranty work it is great to say yep they said to replace this! and if that don't help oh well.

posi can make noises in a strait line when the spider gears are worn out, I know I had that happen.

I would say it is you posi too by what you are saying.