Fallen Behind - a moment of silence please

[93Ext5.7ltr]

Well....it looks like the 8.5" 10-bolt I have behind my LS1 is giving up the ghost. I've had a leak since about week 3 of having the LS1 in it. Today, I had a pretty bad vibration coming from the rotating assembly.

Scared it was the engine, I dropped the engine into "N" and revved it. No problems... Dropped below 30mph and the vibration went away.... went up to 30mph and it started again.

So, I'm gonna take it to the shop tomorrow and see if either servicing the rear will be enough or find out if something is really wrong. If so, I guess a 12-bolt is in my future. I'm thinking of either using a Strange or Moser. Which one? The majority I see on the web says Strange is the way to go, but Moser seems a good second.

What do you guys think? Anyone have a 12bolt?

For sure, just babying the thing and sacrificing chickens in the meantime.

Let me know.

[RedHeartbeat]

Sounds to me like you need to rebuild the driveshaft.

[Tim Z]

i would get a moser if its the rear end going bad, my brother has the moser 12 bolt in his 67 chevy nova behind BUILT LT-1 and turbo 350 with mini tubs and it is holding up great, just my good luck.

[93Ext5.7ltr]

Originally posted by RedHeartbeat@Jan 13 2006, 06:30 PM
Sounds to me like you need to rebuild the driveshaft.

You think I twisted the driveshaft? Oh man. Well, I'd probably replace it with a stock on, see how much longer the 10-bolt lasts and then look into it. I thought the 8.5" 10-bolt would be up to the challenge and was kind of suprised when I saw the fluid coming out from the diff (which was serviced at the same time the engine went in), I might have been presumptuous.

I know the 7.5" 10-bolt on the Camaros was crap, but we're talking a full inch difference.

Any advice on keeping the differential sealed? I have an aftermarket "heavy-duty" cover.

Gotta admit, I hope its just the driveshaft...

[bud8fan]

i had a mid speed vibration in mine before it went clack,clack,clack,clack...never mind...i cant type that fast

[RedHeartbeat]

Just replace the seal and fluid. As for how to keep the cover sealed, scuff it really good and put a paper gasket back on it. Silicone works okay but the paper gasket is hard to beat. Try some of the old brown gaskacinch? on the gasket to keep it from possibly leaking anywhere else. My 8.5" rear ends have had no problems no matter how much I beat and bang on them. I had one in my 92 and took it seriously hard offroading and still no problems. Never had a leak except axle seals.

[93Ext5.7ltr]

So how much torque does it take to twist the stock DS? I know its clean, so it couldn't be as simple as debris on it.

[RedHeartbeat]

It's best to clean your driveshaft and paint a straight line down it before you go big performace so you can monitor the twist. I would think your problem sounds like the front u-joint is bad. It may seem good in the truck.

[1slow01z71]

Welcome to the club dude I think everyone making decent hp has killed the good ole 10 bolt.

[docone882000]

Oh the memories of the first time. It was fun though. Blew the rearend out in the 1-2 shift. Engine singing SHIFT BAAAAAM. What the..... OH SNAP