I have an 82 Trans Am, all stock. According to the axle code I have the 2.73 gears in her. I need to know how to tell if the rear end is good or not, the guy that towed the car didn't take her out of gear before towing and now the rear wheels spin no matter what gear she is in (P,R,N,D) is the rear end bad, the trans or what (also keep in mind that the car doesn't run)? Would it affect the drive shaft? I'm going to pull the motor and tranny out but want to know as I really didn't want to replace the rear end if I didn't have to and I wanted to use the drive shaft for a TH350 swap. So if there's any way to check these out let me know, and any other advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

if its an auto trans, the trans is shot. you cannot tow a auto car by the back wheels without taking the driveshaft out. Even putting it in "N" will cause damage because internal parts still turn with now fluid moving. How towed it? a friend or a company you hired? if you hires somebody, they are liable and should have know better.

the drive shaft wont be hurt by the trip, and if the car is a 82 with the th200r4 trans, the DS should be the same length as whats needed to the th350 swap, not sure if you want the long to short tail shaft?

 

When you say that the tires will spin no matter what gear, is this with the car on jack stands? And if so, are the tires spinning opposite directions of each other?

As 86TA said though, if anything was ruined it is the trans. The axle would not have been affected by the tow.

 

A wrecker service towed it and yeah, the wheels spin no matter what gear it is in, it's up on blocks at the moment (but don't worry I'm not getting under it without jack stands, someone stole a lot of my tools and I needed to know if they turned.) The wheels spin in opposite direction of each other. And it does have the stock 200r4 in it, so I will be looking at a 350 swap... just got to get that darn drive shaft out. Are there any tips you guys may have on getting it out? (before my tools were grabbed) I tried to get those little bolts out but they just will NOT budge, I've WD40'd 'em, twisted a 1/4" adapter and now using a solid 1/4" spinner with shallow socket, still can't get it to budge. I tried using a rubber mallet to kinda love tap 'em to break free but it didn't work. Any tips would be appreciated. Also, is the 2.73 gear ratio good for daily driver (a lot of highway driving bc we live in the country) and the occasional race (for any Ford owner that may be beside me at a stop light or thinks his pony can out run my bird...) or should I swap her out for a 3.42 that I've got? I don't want 5000rpm at 70mph though, any advice on this would be appreciated too, Thanks.

 

That's simply due to the differential being an open one, and not limited slip.

200-C, not 200-4R.
Tighten them. Then loosen. Use a screwdriver or ratchet handle in between the yokes to hold it from moving while you're tightening / loosening.
If you're turning about 2700rpm now, you'll turn about 3400 w/ the 3.42. Up to you, mileage or speed off the line.

 

Yeah it does have the 200-C, thanks. I got her checked and the trans is shot... oh well wanted to replace it anyway. The rear is leaking though, is that normal? Does it just need a new seal/gasket? Thanks

 

No leak is normal. Is it the cover thats leaking? If so, I dont even use gaskets anymore on them. I just use gray silicone. Works much better.