Finally got more Evapo in. Soaked the backing plates and axles.

Photos 966 - 967 - Driver side backing plate


Photos 968 - 969 - Pass side



Photos 970 - 971 - In place



Photo 972 - Axles


Photo 973 - 2 steps forward 3 steps back. A reminder when rebuilding a diff, remember to put sealant on the splines and threads of pinion when installing the yoke. If you don't you might have the same issue I just had. Leaking oil through splines and around nut. Blessing in disguise I guess. I want to replace the nut any way. I was able to save the gear lube and GM limited slip lube.

You wouldn't believe how many people laugh at me when I tell them to seal the splines. Put the sealant in the yoke, NOT on the pinion shaft.

See who's laughing when the yoke slings gear lube onto their floor pan and mufflers...

Yep. I'd just got in a rush when I pulled the yoke back off the first time (using a solid sleeve I left the rear seal out until I got the setup where I liked it) to install the seal and just slapped it back together without blinking. Guess I'm getting old and forgetful.. Either way yoke was pulled and cleaned (along with the splines) I used Ultra Black and applied to the yoke splines and a helping on the washer face. Also good point Freddie apply the sealant on the yoke and not the pinion. Let it dry overnight and I'll fill'er up and see if it leaks now.. Then its axles and back under the car.


Photo 974 - Yoke & nut

After letting the Ultra Black setup I added some Penn Grade 1 80w-90 (formerly Brad Penn oil) along with GM additive. Let it sit for about 30 minutes with the carrier facing upward and no leaks. Next was throwing the axles in with the c-clips and installing the carrier pin and finally buttoning up the diff cover. Also dug out one of my NOS diff gaskets.

Photo 975 - Pinion splines no leaky

Photos 976 - 977 - axles and pin installed


Photo 978 - GM 3931152 Differential Cover Gasket


Photo 979 - Cover installed




Back under the car she goes.

Photo 980 - Leaf spring pads


Older photos for comparison Before & After

Photos 981 - 982 - Diff back under the car




EDIT

One thing I forgot to mention. I also took a file to the mating surfaces on the cover and housing. Applied a thin coat of Ultra Black on the housing, placed the gasket and then applied a coat on the cover. Cross-pattern on the bolts and good to go.

Coming along nicely!

No real updates. Photo of the traction bars I plan to use. I need to get them blasted and prepped for paint. I guess I'm making myself a liar as I will have a "restored" part on the car. Eh, nobody's perfect. :cool2:


Photos 983 - 984 - Square tube early Lakewood bars. Note that the pass side bar is slighlty longer than the driver. Yes they were designed & made this way on purpose.


Photo 985 - Another view of the diff



Poll Time for anyone watching. What color would you pick to paint the bars?
I think I've made my decision but curious what others think.


Yellow
White
Black
Blue
Other

Traction bars paint color
 

Is that original paint on the bars? Why can’t you preserve them as well?
Otherwise, my vote is for yellow.

Cheers,
Marty

It is not original paint. Its like a hammer-tone silver. They are not "original" (meaning added to the car during its life before me) to the car but since I am adding other Day 2 items the bars made sense.

I vote for the original color. Was that the traditional Yellow ??