Hey guys, first post here. Im used to posting over at Camaro forums, but it takes forever to get an answer, so here goes.....


I own a 82 Camaro that has various issues. I purchased it as a project car, and so far it has been just that. So, today I lifted the rear end up to spin the tires to see if I had posi. Both spun same direction, yeah, Ive got posi! Ive got posi! Yeah!

But, when I began pulling and shaking, I found that the wheel would pull in and out by about 1/4 an inch. Only in and out, not L/R or up down. The car also clicks really loud in slow, tight turns. Is this 'in and out' movement a sign of a serious problem? Please let me know. Thanks.

 

The axles are held in place inside the differential carrier with C-clips and a crosspin that slips between the two axle ends. There's usually a little bit of play in the axle, but certainly not a quarter-inch. Maybe what you have is a chipped or busted C-clip. Since a tube of RTV is only three bucks, and a bottle of gear oil is only four bucks, it might behoove you to remove that rear differential cover, rotate the differential carrier around so that you can access the crosspin's retaining bolt, then pull out the crosspin and observe what is inside.

If you remove your wheels and calipers/rotors/drums, you should be able to push the axle in far enough to see the actual C-clip. They will drop out very easily. Inspect them, and the groove on the axle end into which they slide. If they look okay, then they are probably okay. Missing chunks and chips are NOT okay. Bent C-clips are not okay. Check both sides, and also look at the crosspin itself to see if it has any undue wear. If they look fine, simply push the axle inwards, slide in the c-clip, then pull the axle out until the C-clip buries itself inside the carrier. Do the same on the other side, then re-insert the crosspin and its retaining bolt, which I think is a 5/32 12-point, if I remember correctly.

I'd hate to hear that you squirted an axle out onto the track because of a busted C-clip!

 

umm if the car has a posi wont the wheels turn oposte directions?

or that just for 4th gens?

 

The only limited slip differentials that will turn in opposite directions like that are the Torsen T2, and the Eaton Guv-lock. The remainder are all loaded with preload clutches that inhibit slippage between the two wheels. They *did* slip Guv-locks from the S10 line into some late build 1984's, because I used to have one of them. The wheels would turn in opposite directions because the preload clutches were worn out. Then, once one wheel had enough angular velocity relative to the other one, the guvlock would lock up with a bang.

If the wheels turn the same direction, then you have some kind of limited slip differential in there, be it cones or clutches.

 

Axle play could also be coming from a worn differential. It may be worn where the c clips make contact with the inside of the differential where it holds the axle on, I've heard of people finding the right diameters of washers and putting them in there sort of like spacers, the play you are getting is that the axleshaft, and therefore the wheel connected to it is moving out further than it should. Before I fixed mine, if you pulled it as far out as it would pull, and tried to turn the wheel in neutral, it would not spin as easily as it would if the axle was pushed in.

 

.250" would have me really worried. You should be seeing less than 100 thousands of axial endplay.

Ben T.

 

that is not nessasarily true. on my 1983 camaro both wheels will turn when in the air and in gear.. also if you turn one in neutral it will do it too.. this only applies if you are not putting any pressure on the other wheel though.. I have even gotten both wheels to spin on the ice, and the car has an open diff.. so I guess it really depends on how you see if both wheels turn... lol. probably the best way would be just to pull the rear cover off and take a look.. since it sounds like he will have to do that anyhow.