Differential on my 74 L-48 chatters when I turn right/left from a stop. I have read many posts on clutch plate chatter in differentials. Differential also leaks and I wanted to regasket before changing fluid and adding an additive. Looking at the differential, a little more challanging than I expected. Is anyoine aware of a step by step instruction to at least remove and replace differential cover in order to regasket?

Thanks,

Brian Bridgeford

 

Welcome to the forum Brian, you are best to start by siphoning out the old fluid and then add 1 or 2 bottles of 'GM Limited Slip Axel Lubricant Additive' ( GM part # 1052358 )and fill to the bottom of the filler hole with 75-90 Gear oil. Then make some slow figure 8 in a big parking lot.
Still got chatter then ad a bottle of BGLS1.
And do more figure 8's.
Now hope for the best.
Still got chatter?
Then it's time to pull the rear and see whats wrong in there.
Post back and we'll get to the next step.

 

Gotta leak back there somewhere. Thought I could remove the cap and re-gasket, but once I removed spare carrier and cover, realized this was a little more involved. Can't tell if it's the cover or seals. What would you do if it was yours?

Brian

 

Hi again, there are so many parts that have to be removed to get the differential out that it becomes a 'while in at' nightmare. You might want to get the 74 Service Manual and the 1966-1982 Shop Manual and see whats involved.
You have noise and leaks that will have to be delt with sooner or later.

 

Might as well bite the bullet and just rebuild the whole rear end. Replace TA shims and parking brake hardware & cable w/ st-st parts, st-st sleeved calipers, U-joints, strut rod bushings, maybe the spring if sagging, and check/rebuild the differential.

 

Thanks for the help and suggestions. I have looked over the rear suspension and it is in fair shape. I'm going to try the lubricant change and see if I can get through the summer. Then next winter take on the rear end.

Regards,

Brian Bridgeford