rear axle rebuild questions

[markmitch]

I got a 1988 Astro rear axle with 3:42 /G80 set up free I was just going to grab the gears/posi unit but have since thought about just grabbing the whole axle assembly and rebuilding/overhauling it. So my questions are 1. what should I replace? Should I disassemble the whole thing and pressure wash it? Anything else I need to do to make it happy for a long time? Thanks Mark

[97cargocrawler]

I would go a step further and wire wheel the axle down to the bare steel.



Mine had all sorts of rust under the paint creating pits in the steel.

[1lowcab]

Man, that rear end looks brand new!!! Good job.


That finish would last exactly 1 day in Ohio then it would look 100 years old again. lol!

[markmitch]

wow that does look brand new and thanks for the idea I will definitely do that the main reason I decided to grab the whole thing is cause I will be driving my van (hopefully) and rebuilding that so I still keep busy. Then when its done I will have the steel leaf
springs to install all at the same time.

[1lowcab]

Definitely get the master rebuilt kit, it has everything in it for the read end rebuild, Make sure the pinion and ring gear don't have excessive wear or just put new gears since its all apart. And have that G80 checked for stress cracks or have it rebuilt.
Then make it purty like cargocrawlers

[Lumpy]

It takes a brave man, in touch with his sensitive side, to tell CC he's got a good looking rear end.



Lump

[97cargocrawler]

Be sure to check how loose the axle tubes are. They just thread into the diff housing and are secured with a spot weld! Those tubes tend to be bent as well.

I highly recommend prepping and painting the axle with POR15 products. Degreaser, metal prep and chassis coat paint.