Pinion Gear Replacement

[md80zdriver]

Saturday, my son-inlaw and I were fixing acouple of things on my Z28. Replacing the drivers side window motor, and by the way Larry that fixed my problem I mentined in an earlier thread. But anyway I noticed I had a leak around the pinion gear seal. We dropped the drive shaft to replace the seal, and found alot of movement in the pinion gear bearing. The car has 160,000 miles and things do wear out. And replacing it is beyond our mechanical resources. I'm stopping by an old High school buddies repair shop to see if he can replace it before heading to a dealership. My question has anyone here had the repair done and what did it cost. And is there anything else that should be looked at while the axle is apart.

Thanks, Rick

[Lucky SOB]

for ya. someone should know.

[MunsterZ28]

well a new ring and pinion set can be anywhere from $150-300

labor for that on average runs around $300

bearing set is right around $100

but you prob need a few other odds and ends with that many miles

[steddy]

My guess would be at least a new ring & pinion, as well as bearings.......you know what? Perhaps a basic rebuild would do. If I remember, rings and pinions are manufactured the same, like with blocks and main caps, and rods and bearing caps. If it's coming apart, it would be good to just take care of everything, especially with that many miles.

[md80zdriver]

well a new ring and pinion set can be anywhere from $150-300

labor for that on average runs around $300

bearing set is right around $100

but you prob need a few other odds and ends with that many miles

Thanks Fred,

I talked to the folks at Michigan Drive Live, they were recommended by my buddy. Looks like like $750.00 to do all the bearings in the rearend. I'm taking it too them next week.
Rick

[md80zdriver]

New ratio

While the rearend is getting done. I'm thinking about changing the gear ratio. to either a 3.73 or 4.10 any opinions on which one is best overall. I'm looking for better acceleration, and keep the highway mileage where it's at with the six speed manual trans.

Rick

[1qwikSS]

hey rick was your rearend making any noise due to the faulty pinion gear?

[md80zdriver]

Yes, it was.

Rick

[MunsterZ28]

well with a taller gear your going to see gas mileage tail off a little bit but with a 6speed trans the general population goes with a 4.10 gear ratio. i actually have a brand new set forsale. only reason being is i need the money.

[DETROITMUSCLE]

I would go with a set of 4.10s your milage won't be real bad with the 6 speed.

[1qwikSS]

was it making a high pitch whistling noise and when you accelerate it gets louder?

[md80zdriver]

was it making a high pitch whistling noise and when you accelerate it gets louder?

It sounded more like a whine, but did get louder the faster you accelerated.

Rick

[1qwikSS]

yea thats what my car is doing.....i am pretty sure that is what i need also.

[md80zdriver]

Update!!

Hi All, an update on the rearend. I got the car this morning after having the rearend overhauled and the gear ratio changed. The rearend is alot quieter and there's alittle more zip with the 3.73 gears. Glad I did it. I also installed a Sphon shock tower brace. I really like the way it firmed up the front end. The bumper cover is off to a friend to get painted, should have it back in a week.

Rick

P.S. The rearend overhaul and new gears ran a grand to have done.

[DETROITMUSCLE]

Hi All, an update on the rearend. I got the car this morning after having the rearend overhauled and the gear ratio changed. The rearend is alot quieter and there's alittle more zip with the 3.73 gears. Glad I did it. I also installed a Sphon shock tower brace. I really like the way it firmed up the front end. The bumper cover is off to a friend to get painted, should have it back in a week.

Rick

P.S. The rearend overhaul and new gears ran a grand to have done.

That's absolutely crazy IMO your half way to a built rear end at that cost and that 10 bolt is still just as weak as it was before, I don't car what cover or posi trac it may or may not have its still junk on a manual trans car.