I picked up an auborn posi from a guy at a shop I go to a lot, he said it was barely used, the guy sheared his R&P, and decided to go with an eaton while he had the diff out. So I got this auborn for $75, great deal for a $400 posi, he said it was out of a 4'th gen though. So I figure it's a 28 spline unit, well I've been looking up axels and what have you, but decided to count the splines of it before I do anything, and wouldn't you know it, it's a 26 spline carrier. Good news for me because now I don't have to get new axels, but if this thing is infact out of a 4'thgen, how could it have a 26 spline carrier in it?? Thanks.

 

if it is 26 spline, it is not stock from anything newer then 1990

 

He's right about that, or course.

Examine your axels while they're out. You may need new ones after all. Typically on a car this old the bearing surfaces are trashed. Mine were.

 

So how is it that I got this auborn posi unit, which I was told was out of a newer car, and by visual inspection has virtually no wear on the thing?? Just tryin to get this figured out.

 

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And "being told" a thing by a used-parts seller somehow makes it true?

Sounds like either the seller lied, or you mis-counted. Those are about the only possibilities.

I'd strongly suggest trying to stick an axle of one type or the other in it and see if it fits, before getting all excited about it though. If it's a 28-spline carrier and you put a 26-spline axle in it, the axle will just spin, because the diameter is also different; and likewise a 28-spline axle won't even go into a 26-spline carrier. That would be the best thing to do if you have any doubt in your math skills.

A carrier won't really show any wear by "visual inspection". It could have a million miles on it, and not show it a bit, until you put it in a car and discover the clutches are worn out.

 

Agreed, never take someone who's selling something's word at face value. Did you tell him you needed a 26 spline? If so he may have lied to make the sale. I always try to ask people general questions that they have to give me a difinitive answer to, like "How many splines does it have?" This way they don't know what you need, and have to answer the question honestly. Also, don't ever tell them what car you have, because most likely they will know the answer that you want to hear. It's a shame, but the used auto parts arena is full of liars trying to make a profit. You have to be really areful about what you buy.

 

no no no, this wasn't from a guy trying to scam me or anything, it was a friend that works on fbody's at my local shop, he had it lyin around cuz a guy put an eaton in his car when he put a new ring and pinion in, so he bought the auborn off of him, and he told me he had it lyin around one day when I told him about my posi goin bad, so I bought it off of him. He told me it was out of a newer TA, but it had been a lil while so wasn't positive to the year. He never even mentioned the spline count, so I assumed it was a 28, but I counted it TWICE, and with precision, the other night, to double check that it was a 28 spline, and turned out to be a 26, so I was just curious about that. He wasn't tryin to rip me off, or mislead me, he was just helpin me out with a good deal on a unit he had sittin around.

 

it could of been in a s-10 also, is this the socalled gov loc? if it is beware i had the weght come off and it destroyed the rear, also what series carier is it? is ita 2 or a 3 if its a 2 you can only go to 3.08 without thick gears

 

I don't think you're listening.

They didn't put 26-spline carriers in 4th gen rears. Period. End of discussion. They were all 28-spline. Therefore: either the carrier's origin is not what it is said to be, or you miscounted. Those are the only things that can be true.

Go get yourself an axle that you know the spline count of, and see how it fits the carrier. Better yet, take out one of your own axles, and just see if it's the right spline to fit your rear. Either it will fit, or it won't; and then you don't even have to concern yourself at all what the actual count is.