what are some key signs that your rear end are going?

my car started to feel like the suspension gave out. When I hit bumps with the back of my car it slams. And the turning is very shaky aswell as highway travel. I took to the mechanic and they said all the suspension checked out. They opened the pumpkin, and said they found metal debris. (obviously that is a sign). I am in search of a new rear end, does this seem like the issue. The car does not handle well at all.

also will a 82-92 drum rear end work in my 2000 z28

 

The parts that fail in the rearend are the gears and bearings. Those won't cause bad handling, slamming on bumps and unstable turning. I'd get under there and check the panhard rod, LCA and shock bushings.

An exception would be a broken C-clip, allowing the axle to move outwards and inwards. That could be checked by jacking the rear and pulling/pushing the tires to see if there is significant end-play.

A 3rd Gen rear axle assembly is 3" narrower than a 4th Gen. It will bolt right in, but you would lose ABS, and you would need wheels with 1.5" less offset than the 4th Gen wheels.

 

Your rear is broken when you can feel the car jerk because teeth are missing. Other than that it's just maintenance. Metal debris...did they show it to you, or are they trying to make a buck off you?

-Dustin-

 

I think there trying to make money. They said they can get a used rear for 1500 and labor would be 500. Yeah right not paying that.

My car shakes on highway, and over bumps, cracks in road, it hits harder in back. and around turns it trys to pull out of the turn. What I am going to check the LCA's, panrod and torque arm on saturday. But what else should I check. The mechanics said that the front looked good

 

How far is it to New Haven from you? There used to be a good shop over there who seemed honest. $1500 for a rear end is enough for a used 12 bolt that would be hard to break. Used rears go for $300 on here daily.

It's suspension.

-Dustin-

 

Im 20 minutes from new haven

 

Used rears are 150-300 at any yard. They are trying to make money off of you. I would try a new mechanic. Also, normal metal shavings are quite normal to build up on the diff cover magnet. It is when you find chunks that you have to worry. I think new springs/shocks/bump stops may be in your future.