80schild

iTrader: (5)

My 9 bolt rear end is worn out, now it moans and roars all the time, and when coming to a stop it sounds like rocks rolling in a tin can, you need ear plugs to drive my car. The nearest shop that will touch it is 60 miles away and they quoted it could possibly run around $1000 to fix it, if they can get the parts. Not even sure if I trust driving it 60 miles.

I know other members here have put 4th gen rears in their cars, and there are plenty of 4th gens in the yards here (3rd gens are rare). Would it be better to just swap the rear end rather than repair it? I just put a new transmission in this thing, so I cant spend a fortune on the differential. I'm really trying to keep my car original, but it's a headache having a rear diff that you can barely find parts for.

Just frustrated and looking for options here.

80schild

iTrader: (5)

Almost forget, the previous owner said someone "got sideways" in the car and bent the axle shaft, but supposedly it was taken to a machine shop and straightened. Could this be a source of the noise?

I know the whining/roaring on the highway is likely the pinion bearing, but the noise when slowing to a stop seems different, it's more like a grinding sound.

If I find a 4th gen rear end, will my stock brake lines and e-brake cable connect to it? What about my speedometer, would it be messed up? And what about the wheel bolt pattern?