BE Axel...supposedly for sale on eBay

[Casey Marks]

Yep !

What would be REALLY great is if someone could post some pics of each of the above components. My contention is that some (if not all) of that stuff is available still thru Eaton. They don't widely market or publicize the component pieces-parts ..... but they got 'em.

And ...... I'd prefer to be correct on at least "some" of my assumptions so that you guys can get the parts you need. I'd love to help out.

[Jeff Murphy]

[69L72RS]

The pictured plates would be for a GM "trans-am" unit with 400# or larger springs. They should measure 0.1562" thick and be 2.310"+/-0.06" wide at the formed side flanges.
The COPO plates are 0.0897" thick and measure
2.100" +/- 0.06" wide at the formed side flanges.
They also have round c-clip holes not oval.

Casey,
All of the inspection docs that I have seen for the #234
COPO units begin around early 1967. They are from the Marshal division records and the signing engineers initials were D.G. / R.W. / F.R. / & R.J.S. if you know any of them.
I was told the GM made the 16 tooth axle gears in house.

I checked with Eaton in 2001 about replacement parts and was informed tooling was not avaiable and the production volume
was not worth looking at. The 16 tooth axle gears are were cut on a now obsolete Klingenberg machine while todays gear teeth are cut on a Gleason machine.

There are 2 members that I know of that have "private" stashes of NOS parts for the #234 units. I have not had much luck getting them to let go of any of it. Maybe they will decide speak up on what they have and know. Hint, hint guys.

Hope this helps. More info to follow.

Eric

[69L72RS]

I have a series of pictures of the parts your are asking about, but still don't have editing software to shrink them to a postable size. If someone else can shrink them and post them , I will email them.
I will try to post the data base info that I have from the road this weekend. I have an archive of about 15 "BE" rears that I have worked on over the past 18 years. It has casting date/assembly date/and posi date correlation info.
I tried to have this done sooner but have been too busy at work.
Hope this info will clear up some of the previous questions from other post too.

Eric

[Casey Marks]

GREAT info Eric ! Thanks.

The more data the better. We'll see what we can come up with.

The part that REALLY sux is that Eaton is in the process of moving ALL of the differential business out of Marshall, MI. and Hastings, NE. It's all going to Mexico. Once it goes to Mexico, the ability to tap into 35+ years of posi "stuff" decreases significantly.

[Casey Marks]

Also,

Any Eaton part number info on the above would be a triple-bonus.

[69L72RS]

Can you shrink and post the pics if I email them to you?

[Casey Marks]

Yep !

[email protected]

[69L72RS]

I'll send them at lunch. Thanks for the help Casey.

Eric

[69L72RS]

I sent you a few pics from work.
I will send you a few more tonight before I leave.
Thanks again Casey.

Also here are a few notes on the looking at a #234 posi:
1) springs - natural color / lefthand wind / 0.120" wire diameter / 75#
rating
2) spring plates - narrower and longer than standard plates / round hole for c-clip
* note: early standard posi units also had round holes for c-clips
but are too wide for copo unit *
3) axle gears - 16 teeth / tooth root goes all the way to clutch surface / gear OD has pointed tooth tips / the unit usually has 7 teeth visible
* Don't get cofused by GM 2nd design 17 tooth axle gears. They
appear very similar when inside the posi. *

4) I have found (4) older rebuilt COPO posi units with stock 10-18 & 10-17 tooth spiders sets in them. There will be 3 cup washers behind the smaller pinion gears to get the proper mesh. The case is correct but the guts are wrong.

5) the COPO posi case is cast # EDB 30174 ( same as standard unit) and has different internal machined dimensions to fit the larger gears. All COPO units that I have seen were small window cases.

6) The posi unit assembly date can be stamped on the ring gear flange or on the balancing boss. It will be a letter+number+letter stamp.
I will post more info later.

Should I start a new post with the identification info and date data base or continue it in this one?
Thanks again,

Eric