Rebuilding a rear is really not all that difficult. I have done 2 so far. It is more time consuming than anything making sure the backlash and preload is set correctly. When you get new gears, at least from Richmond, they give you a little set of instructions on where the teeth should mesh and the proper backlash, which should be around .004"- .008". Another thing I heard is to put all of the shims back in place where they were originally and there will be no problems with the teeth alignment. **Note this supposedly only works with a factory setup and not one that someone else has already been in and played with. We did this in my dad's 84 Suburban and never had a problem with whine or anything else. I am actually getting ready to pull the rear out of my 70 to put some new gears in it. It's alot easier to do it when ou!
t of the car! It also gives me a chance to clean it up and repaint it again so it looks all purdy.
Should you choose to have someone build it with all new components, it will cost about $850 without putting new axles in and around $1100 with new axles. The going labor rate around here is $200 to set up a rear.
Also have to make sure you have an impact gun strong enough to crush the collar. I know with mine, since some bozo set it up for a drag car and just slapped gears in it, that I will have to take it apart multiple times to get the right preload on the pinion. Mine right now howls louder than the wind b/c the gears are shot and it is quite annoying.
Tom
