long...
I just finished my cam install 7 days ago. 2 days ago the gears started to whine a little. It also sounded weird when I was driving at a constant speed. It was like an exhaust noise every second or so and the frequency went up at higher rpm's, down at lower rpm's especially around 1500 and lower. I thought it was sounding funny cause it's cold and wet out. I've never had trouble with the rear end. I've never really launched the car hard (cause I suck at it) but I haven't even tried since the cam swap. Maybe a hard downshift messed it up.
So anyway, I was driving around town listening to it, when there was an open road so I decided to see if it was still as fast. I didn't punch it, I eased into the throttle in first and by half throttle I heard a huge clunking and grinding noise. and it kept doing when I moved at all. I was on this bridge and I stopped to look under the car. It looked fine. I tried to drive it a little but I couldn't get anywhere. Every couple seconds there would be a loud clunk and the shifter would shake all over. A few times it completely locked up. I got the car towed about 3 blocks home for $85. So what to do now? I can't believe it blew while easing into the gas at half throttle. I'm 18 and I make $11.00 an hour so I can't really go buy a 12 bolt for 2500. I have no experience with rear ends at all, I don't even really know what's in there. Could someone please tell me what happened and what I need to replace? Sorry it was long but it's easier with more details out there. Thanks.

 

man i would have pushed my car 3 blocks for 85 bucks..anyway it sounds like somethin in your rear broke (a gear, pinion, etc) pop your cover off and take a look around in there. you dont need to know much about it to see if somethin's broke. good luck bro

 

Yeah now that I think about it I should have pushed it but it was on a bridge, up a pretty steep hill, and the cop was sitting there trying to get me to hurry up. And I dind't even think to put it in neutral and that would make it roll fine. So what would I have to replace back there? I want 3.73's again but what can I do to make it a little more durable without spending what I could on a decent used car?

 

well how long ago were your 3:73's put in? can they be warrentied. sounds like someone didn't set them up right.

your screwed. buy a new set if you can't get it warrentied. with low money there's not a whole lot you can do.

i thought i bought a rear for $400 that would drop right in...turned out costing $1000 to get it on the road.

good luck

 

There are lot of complete rear ends sitting around from people who have upgraded. I have one myself! You best bet on a budget is to pick one up. Cheaper and easier than rebuilding your own.

Rich Krause

 

I don't know when the 3.73's were installed, they were put in when the previous owner had the car. I'll email him and ask. How much would a complete used rear end be do you think? Would a different posi be more durable? Like I said, I know nothing about rear differentials but I'm putting out pretty decent power so I don't want it to break again. Looks like I'll be forever running street tires though

 

I was offering mine at $250 and would have taken $200. Didn't have any takers. You pretty much need to find one local, as it's a hassle and expensive to ship something this big and heavy. As far as the posi goes, is that what broke? Most likely not, so the answer is "probably not".

Rich Krause

 

i think i got mine complete with 3.42s minus brakes for $250