I have 2 questions about my rearend:

1. The axles are supposed to have in-out play right? But I have up-down play too at the wheel bearings (both sides), and even after replacing the bearings with brand new GM bearings it’s still there… Is this normal?

2. I think one of the rearend casing tubes is bent somehow. I took out the axles once and if i looked down one tube straight i couldn't see straight out of the other tube, i had to look sideways a little (as if the right tube is bent forwards a little). Is this serious? Should I try to fix it? How?

At least the casing being bent part has been going on for at least 2 years since i bought the car. I've done a wheel geometry check then and they said one of the rear wheels is slightly off but not beyond safety limits.

I have been hearing serious banging noises (relative to the car's speed, only when not under torque) recently from the rearend and I've got a 3.73 Motive Gear Performance Ring&Pinion plus complete bearing replacement kit in an attempt to fix it. Hope the casing and outer bearings don't have anything to do with this sound...

Thanks!

 

How much play is there?

I wouldn't be entirely surprised if the hub had a total vertical travel of 1mm or something small like that.

My advice to you is to get a bolt-in replacement rear end from Strange or DTS. 12-bolts and Dana 60's are good.

 

I can't afford that really... I need budget fixes to these problems if possible...

 

Then maybe you should answer my question.

 

If money is tight then get a different used housing.

 

I'm guessing the play in the bearings is about 2mm maybe. Seems about the same in both.

Couldn't the casing be fixed? Straightened? Maybe get one of these kits to strengthen it if bending it back will weaken it :

http://www.lpwracing.com/p_axletubebrace.asp