I am currently doing a ring and pinion job on my car. I got a great deal on a complete disc rearend out of an '83 Z28 for $150 from the guys at www.thirdgenparts.com . The differential and ring gear were busted which doesn't matter because I'm using the Auburn diff and axles from the drum rearend. I'm going from the factory 3.23 to 3.73 ratio in the disc rearend. I've heard that you can reuse the ring gear bolts and pinion bearings if they're in good condition. Can I keep them to save on cost? Thanks.
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92' Camaro RS 305 TBI
Best 1/4 mile - 14.6 @ 96 mph w/NO NOS
Best 60' - 1.9 secs
Check it out
https://www.thirdgen.org/rides/index...ew&rideid=4860



[This message has been edited by pwdbychevy (edited October 17, 2001).]

 

On a busted rear end I would not reuse anything. On a good rear I would replace all the bearings and reuse the ring gear bolts.


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350 with stealth intake, holley carb, 470 lift cam. 700r4 with .5 boost valve, vette servo, tci lock-up kit, B&M megashifter. Richmond 3.73 gears, powertrax locker, timkin bearings, synthetic lube. Custom 3 inch single into 2 2.5 pipes. 1 1/2 drop springs, 1 5/16 solid front sway bar, 1 inch rear bar, custom subframe connectors, custom LCA relocation brackets. Kobel ground FX, currant red metallic paint. Lots of other stuff...
82camaro

 

Yeah I can see where you're coming from with all the metal shavings in there doing damage. I think I'm going to replace the bearings even though they still look good.


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92' Camaro RS 305 TBI
Best 1/4 mile - 14.6 @ 96 mph w/NO NOS
Best 60' - 1.9 secs
Check it out
https://www.thirdgen.org/rides/index.tgo?action=view&rideid=4860

 

You should replace all the bearings no matter what. It's all but impossible to get the pinion's head bearing off without destroying it anyway. You'll also need a new crush sleeve (or several of them, or a crush sleeve eliminator kit) and a new pinion nut; as well as a selection of pinion and carrier shims.

By the time you fiddle around with buying all that stuff that you're about to have to have one piece at a time, you will have spent more than the cost of a Ratech "Gear Install Kit", which is right at $100 from any number of sources. It comes with all the pinion & carrier bearings; shims for both packs; crush sleeve, nut, gear marking compound, gasket .... and even new ring gear bolts.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

i replace bearings and bolts when i do a rear end. for a few dollars saved it isn't worth the risk of breaking a more expensive part.

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ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd
MM Black Diamond 538 F&AM

 

I bought the Ratech solid spacer part# RAT-4111 which eliminates the crush sleeve. I just got done machining the axle flanges down to accept the rear disc rotors and purchased the LPW Ultimate 10 bolt cover and axle tube braces kit from www.Jegs.com. I'm taking the rearend today to a welding shop to weld the axle tubes. This thing will probably be stronger than a 12 bolt but at a fraction of the cost. Thanks for the input guys.




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92' Camaro RS 305 TBI
Best 1/4 mile - 14.6 @ 96 mph w/NO NOS
Best 60' - 1.9 secs
Check it out
https://www.thirdgen.org/rides/index.tgo?action=view&rideid=4860

 

If you are going to the trouble to rebuild a rear end why anything but top quality brand new parts? I don't think your 7.5 rear will be able to touch a 12 bolt.

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82 z28 350cid, vortec heads, comp 262h cam, Holley 600cfm carb, 2in twice pipes, MSD ignition, turbo 350 trans, 3.73 posi, manly b&m megashifter