Graham

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Cheers Gary, yes all sorted got a new diff with new crown wheel and pinion set, went for an Auburn unit and Nitro gears so hopefully it all goes together OK, not looking forward to shimming the pinion shaft, any suggestion for a starting point for the shim size? I don't want to have to pull the bearing off more than necessary.

|UPDATED|12/2/2016 3:28:45 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

An Auburn is a cone type posi, ok but not as strong as an Eaton. They do cost less and are not rebuildable. If you are building the diff for under 400hp and just street driving it should be ok. If more hp and hard use I would reconsider using the Auburn.

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Hi Gary If I can get to the original 350HP I'll be happy so the Auburn should see me out.
These are the diff gears http://www.nitro-gear.com/GMVET-355-NG-p/gmvet-355-ng.htm they come with a 2 year warrantee so they should be OK I'm only a weekend cruiser so if they're as good as they make out on their website I'll be good.
What do you suggest for a starting shim for the pinion shaft Gary?

Many Thanks
Graham

I am going to take a guess here and say those are reboxed Tom's gears. Did you get them in yet?

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Hi Gary, yes I got them earlier in the year ready for the winter, I'll have another look I know there are some etched markings so they're a matched set will have another look later.
Graham

Got my diff. all stripped at the weekend bar the pinion shaft which my friend pressed out for me this morning, good to have friends with a 60 ton press!

Hi Gary, apparently the Auburn diff is rebuildable, I was reading the bumf that came with it and apparently they do a rebuild kit which has all the internals, new cones, gears, etc. but as I say I hope it will last for a good while!

Graham

Interesting on the rebuild kit, I hope you don't need it.

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Finally it stopped raining and I could get  out for a little run for Drive It Day, all good, the taller diff ratio has made a big difference, pleased I changed the first gear ratio as I think the original might have been a bit too tall.
Speedo seems to be about right, haven't checked it against sat nav yet but revs seem about right for the indicated speed.
The composite spring I fitted during the job is a big improvement on the steel original and at last the car sits level, I haven't a clue what poundage it is but ride is much better, also the adjustable strut rods made setting up the camber a piece of cake.
Thanks
Graham

Update after a year of running, change of diff ratio was well worth it, makes cruising much more relaxed, had a bit of a whine but this has quietened down with a bit of running so guess it is running in nicely.
Only problem I have now is with the clutch adjustment, I fitted a new LUK clutch kit complete as the upgraded input shaft had different splines, I fitted the new release bearing supplied with the kit but retained the original ball stud and release fork.
Problem I now have is that in order to get the clutch to disengage I had to wind the adjustment all the way to the end of the thread so I don't even have room for the second lock nut! I didn't remove the ball stud so I don't know what length it is but can see there are various lengths ranging from 1 3/8" to 1 13/16" so perhaps I need a longer one but whatever it is the gearbox will need to come out again :-(
Graham