What is wrong with the ten-bolt?

[my95z28]

In the short time that I have been in the F-body community, I have learned that putting the ten-bolt into our cars was as much of a flaw on GMs end as putting the Opti-spark in the LT1 cars. My question is, what is so wrong with the ten-bolt? I haven't seen anyone break one yet, so what is it usually that breaks? The Posi unit goes out, the housing cracks, the axles shear? Thanks for the help

[Blue_Thunder]

I believe the teeth break/shatter- I think the ring gear can break.

[WMCCjames]

Oh, where to begin!!

Basically it's just too physically small to handle the torque. The case flexes, the ring gears are too small, the axles are too small......

[my95z28]

can it be beefed up to hold power?

[ICEPICK]

i kept my housing put in an auburn pro street rear moser axles and 3:73 richmond gears. one summer and first time at the track 4 runs i pushed it on the trl to take it home. spider gears decenagrated, million little peices fell out when i poped the cover. axles awsom gears great the rest just a big trash heap.

still with the ten bolt for now but running an eaton carreir

[WMCCjames]

can it be beefed up to hold power?

A cover girdle with support studs is about the best thing you can do for these POS rears.

[my95z28]

A cover girdle with support studs is about the best thing you can do for these POS rears.

LMAO, allright thanks James

[shawnc16]

Been lucky with mine but within my group.. we've gone through about 5 rear end rebuilds from them blowing to pieces. As said above.. they just can't handle enough power.

[JoeliusZ28]

They are junk but i dont think they get enough credit at the same time. Jons is still surviving and thats enough said. If there is one thing GM sucked at it was rear axles. Theyre a PITA to work on compared to everything else and bottom of the barrel on strength. That even goes for the 12 bolt.

[nascarnate326]

Thanks for asking Kyle, I was confused too.
Well since Joel's is still working I going to have to say they dont get enough praise.

What are the Torque numbers where they start to show their limitabalities?

Has anyone with a mostly stock LT1 ever broken one?

I'll be in the market soon...

[MORNINGSTAR2101]

Thanks for asking Kyle, I was confused too.
Well since Joel's is still working I going to have to say they dont get enough praise.

joels? i dont think i would base my praise or disgust with the ten bolt based on joels. its jons that impresses me, lol

[JoeliusZ28]

joels? i dont think i would base my praise or disgust with the ten bolt based on joels. its jons that impresses me, lol

you havent ridden with me yet have you? some people say my shifts are kinda wild, and my car has a reputation for chirping the tires in 4th gear at 85 mph but yes, jons is more impressive as i noted previously. His is in fact making some weird noises lately, however.

[93formulalt1]

I think the 10-bolt is alright for a stock/mostly stock vehicle, but if you are planning on making much more power than that, you might want to put away money for replacing when the inevitable happens. . .

[c0ncEpT]

Mine already went out once. I believe the case flexed and the thing started whining and the gears started binding and what not.

Some live some don't. A4 cars are a lot easier on them because of how they pre load the gears. M6 cars just seem to snap them all the time because of the shock they send threw the drivetrain.

You also hear about a lot of them living because people street drive them on street tires which most of them just ends in lots of wheel spin. I have no doubt in my mind if Jon launched his car on a tire at the track it wouldn't last more than a pass or 2.

[Keego Ridah]

My car has lasted, M6 with 4:10's, and yes im surprised