So for the longest time I've been trying to track down this knocking noise that comes from my driveline. Sounds for sure that its coming from the transmission. U Joints, Tranny mount, and Torque Converter bolts are all new/torqued down. The knock happens on 2-3 upshifts quite often and also going into gear from R or P/N. I backed my car up on the sidewalk and had my sister run through the gears while I watched the driveshaft. (E-brake was on HARD and wheels were blocked) It has about 1/6th turn of play from reverse to drive, the play being in the rear end without the car moving. Is this normal? I also hear whining from the rear @ 35-50 MPH. I have every reason to believe this is the stock 170,000 mile 10 bolt 2.73 open rear. Are these symptoms of a shot rear?

Also - about replacement. I probably wont ever have anything more than a full bolt on 350 TBI in this car; maybe heads/cam down the road. Maybe wide vette wheels or something similar, as i'd like to hook reasonably well. Will a reasonably low-mile junk yard 4th gen 10 bolt hold up to this? I would like some advice on my rear end solution because I dont know what to do and I'm on a budget. I really feel like I'm about to shred this thing.

Will 245/50/16 tires rub on the stock 16inch rims with a 4th gen 10-bolt?

If I do find a 4th gen rear, what should I do to upgrade it before I stick it in the car. I plan on piecing together parts (fuel pump, springs, struts, exhaust etc) and do it all at once. I'm looking for this to be a long term solution so I want to do it right.

 

I think you would be better off picking up an 88 or newer third gen rear with disk brakes (28 spline axles).

Then do a budget overhaul with bearings and seals. Now would be the time to pick what gear ratio you want.

If you're looking for a long term fix, this is it. Then there's no doubts about what you have. You can still find them pretty cheap on this site. If you score a 9 bolt you can just overhaul it and leave the gears the way they are.

You'll be happy with this, I think, once you're done.

 

Good idea, I think I agree with that call.

The tech article speaks of a "takeoff posi" from SLP that never needs rebuilding and is around $100. I cannot find this part anywhere. Is this everything I should need for a good rear end buildup?

10 bolt disk brake shell, 1988-up with WELDED TUBES. (I can have this done easily)

OEM axles

New bearings, races, and seals throughout

Fancy aftermarket girdle

Lastly, the posi unit. I am after this Zexel Torsen piece that is spoken of in the tech article. Are used eBay take-outs from 4th gens acceptable? What about used gears?

 

The SLP takeoff units were brand new stock units that were removed from fourth-gens by SLP when they built the SS and the Firehawks. Since there are no more fourth-gens, there are no more takeoffs.

 

So the used market is my only hope? What alternatives are there in a similar price range? The tech article should be changed...

 

Has anybody had any experience with a used stock Torsen unit? Do they wear with miles? Is the wear obvious by examining it? Would it be sufficient for a solid 350 setup?

 

There are plenty of guys that like that unit. I have seen them chunk, though, when the little "meat grinder" gears get worn on the ends and slip down to bind up. They then bust apart into a million pieces.

I love used stuff, so don't get me wrong. I would buy a used one but only if I could look at first with my own eyes. No pictures. You need to be able to get close enough to look for pitting on the ends of the teeth and for wear on the ends of the gear assemblies where they pivot.

I wouldn't use OEM axles either, they tend to not be too strong...

 

What axle would you recomend? I dont need the BEST, just adequate.

 

You can get budget good new axle sets from Summit and Jeg's. The last set I got was around 300 bucks for the set. When you call them tell them what it's for. When I got mine from Jeg's they already had 3rd gen specs on file because it is a common item from wherever they get axles made. Give them a call, you won't be disappointed!

Good luck!