Hey guys I need some help, Tonight I was replacing my universals on my half shafts and while driving off the
u bolt I drove the side yolk out of the differencial,
What did I do and how bad is this???? What needes to be done to fix it??? HELP!!!


Would really appreciate any help!!
John 76 Stingray

Sounds like the C clip that retains the side yoke in the differential came off. You will have to get inside the differential to fix it. The main issue is why did it come off. Inspect the side yoke for wear. Good Luck! Someone else will be able to offer more advise.

Doc- that little "ping" you heard was Pandora's Box opening up on you. Yes-your only option is to take the diff cover off, and replace the little itty-bitty $3 dollar clip that broke off on you, probably a couple of thousand miles ago.

While you're in there, after taking the time, and trouble to remove the diff. cover, which is a crappy job in itself, remove and inspect both side yolks for wear. What happened is, I'm assuming you bought the vatte used, the idiot that had her before you drove the hell out of her, and caused too much end play on those little itty-bitty $3 clips that let loose. It's not a bad idea to replace the side yolks, along with the seals while you have it all apart, although that can be expensive. Take the time to really look good for those pieces of the C-clip that broke. You don't want a small piece of that floating around in there after you put her back together.

I'll assume you know how to remove the diff. cover. Don't forget those bolts on top of the crossmsmber. They're REEEAAAALLLLLYYYYYYYYYY fun to get at, you'll probably have to drop the crossmember.

Please, if you have any questions about this, feel free to ask here. The collective information available on this site is priceless. Good luck. Get her done before the really nice weather hits. I just saw two more vettes out today. God, I wish mine was one of them.

Thanks guys for the info. My next question is, once you get into the diferencial can you see the c clip to see where it goes or is it harder then that?? Since you can all tell I'm a rookie, if I would need to take this to a garage how expensive is this going to cost??

Thanks alot, John

You will see it without much trouble. Most of the time they wear off because the end of the spindle gets worn to the point where there is not a groove left for the retainer. Replacements and rebuilds are available with hardened ends. I doubt you caused it by removing the u-bolts. There should be about 1/4" of spindle beyond the c-clip goove, if there isn't, the spindle is worn out and needs to be replaced. Might as well replace the clutch packs and check the other spindle as well, inspect for any bearing wear too. This guy did a great job for me when I needed to have mine rebuilt. He did the whole job for less then I could buy the parts for. http://corvetteperfection.com/corvetteperfection001.htm

|UPDATED|4/16/2004 3:34:58 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

The worst part of this is pulling the cover. Once the cover is off rotate the drive shaft and watch for the retaining bolt in the side of the carrier. It will be a 5/16 bolt head. When this is removed you will find it is about 3 inches long. It holds the pinion shaft in the carrier. The pinion shaft is the shaft that goes through the center of the case, in between the side gears. With the bolt out, slide the pin out. Now push in on the side yoke from outside the diff. This will allow the "C" clip to be removed from the inside end of the yoke shaft. Yours is probably laying in the diff somewhere. Now the yoke will pull out of the diff. There is, or should be, a groove in the end of the shaft where the clip was. If this groove is not square and fits the width of the clip, replace the yoke shaft. Use new c clips when you put it back together.
To reinstall just push the yoke shaft in all the way, install the clip inside, and pull the shaft back out until it stops. This will cause the clip to set in the side gear and locks it in place. When the pinion shaft goes back in the pinion holds the yoke shafts outward, so they can't come back in and release the clip. But the retaining bolt back in. Make sure the pinion shaft sides were not worn out.

The entire rear should be inspected, but this alone will get you back in business. It's likely there is wear elsewhere if these are worn out.

Thanks guys for all the information. My buddy and I are going to attempt to put the C clip back in but, do I have to mess with any shims? Ken, you made it sound quite easy but, everybody says a corvette rear end is difficult!

What parts would I need to buy to do this job? I suspect probably a rear gasket, differential fluid, positive rear end fluid and what else would I be missing?

You guys are a great help!!

John

If all you are doing is the shaft and clip, it is fairly easy, once the cover is off. That's the hardest part.

A new cover gasket, fluid, and posi additive are all that is needed. Except whatever parts are worn out or broken. That you won't know until you are in there.

If you were to rebuild the entire rear assy, it is a lot more, and exacting work, and does require special tools. I don't find it difficult, but I have done many, and I teach them. It is a different perspective. But to just fix your car with out doing everything really is not difficult to do.

Thanks guys, this info has really helped me out, but do you need to take the leaf spring off the diferencial cover to get the cover off? I know you need to take the ends off of the trailing arms. Also, the c clips that I bought has the holes for the c clip pliers. Is this the right c clip? Thanks again for all your help!!! John

John, yes you will need to remove the spring. Be careful, there is a tremendous amount of energy stored in the spring and it can really kick your butt. A well placed c-clamp can help the jack from slipping off during this procedure. Relieve the preload by placing a hydraulic jack under each end of the spring, tension the spring enough to relieve pressure, and then remove the long bolts securing the spring to the t-arms. Carefully lower and remove the jack to allow the spring to unload. You can then remove the 4 bolts and retainer plate securing the spring to the differential cover and remove the spring. As far as the question on the retaining clips? As near as I can remember they do have holes for a retaining ring pliers. Have you completely removed the yoke that lost the retainer? be sure to check the end that rides against the pinion shaft. There should be about .060" of end play, more would indicate a worn yoke shaft.