hey guys with my 1983 Z28 camaro 7.5" rear end, supposedly its got a Detroit locker in it, and i get a whine or a hum around 50mph and when i go around corners i get a binding sound not a clicking sound or banging, almost like a shaft is rubbing on the axle tube , is that the sound of an locker or a clutch type posi? thanks guys

 

Could be a pinion bearing goin bad

 

Or clutches r bad

 

idk guys ive had the driveshaft off 3 times last year to see if i could feel play moving the pinion up and down side to side and cant feel a thing!

 

You won't be able to feel that looseness by hand, until it's literally ready to fall out down to the ground.

The noise is prima facie evidence that you have a bad bearing. Usually, "loose" is because the bearing is wore out.

The clicking is the locker. That's what they do. Those have a little "ratchet" mechanism in there to avoid being a spool.

You could try just tightening the pinion nut a little, but be prepared that you could wipe it COMPLETELY out that way.Make a tool to hlod the yoke by 2 of the bolts, from about a 3-4' piece of 1½" steel strip stock from Home Depot or the like, with 2 holes drilled along the edge; and a 1¼" socket on a LONG breaker bar. Tighten it maybe ¼ turn and see if it's better. If so, tighten it again, and so on. Drop down to 1/8 turn increments after a couple of repetitions. But don't forget, if you go too far, you WILL DESTROY the bearings, and you will HAVE TO replace them, so use your best judgment.

And of course, put fresh fluid in it when you do that. I'd suggest Mobil 1.

 

There isn't a Detroit Locker for the 7.5 rear end. What you probably have is a Lock Right, which is a locker kit that replaces the 4 gears inside a standard differential case. I've had one of these in my daily driver truck for about 14 years now. You culd also have an Auburn, which is a cone type LSD. These are known for making noise when turning. When you get inside the rear end you will find out what you have.

The noise that you are describing is not from the locker. You probably do have a bad bearing, or the gears are wearing. The best thing to do would be to start disassembling the rear end until you find the problem. Start by reoving the axles and checking them for wear. If you don't find anything there then remove the differential and check the bearings on it. If you still don't find anything then remove the pinion and check those bearings. The pinion is the hardest to install and will require a new crush spacer if you remove it. Setting the bearing preload on the pinion is not easy, so be ready for some work.

 

I have an 86 z28 and I have a humming noise coming from the rear end, iv had the axle bearings replaced, that quieted it down but the noise is still there. when i go around a corner, left or right, it quiets... if anyone has any answers, I would greatly appreciate it because im at a loss for an answer.

 

Have you recently installed a new set of rims on the car? My buddy put a set of vette rims on his 4th gen and the rim was acutally rubbing slightly on the wheel well.