Little gas turning left and a pop

[jmderyke]

So just started today on wet pavement at a stop turning left and followed with a pop sound. Got it in the snow and watched the rear end get a shock. Seems like it's in the rear end, spider gear, shaft splines? I'm gonna limp her home soon and rip into next dry day.

Thoughts?

[Mmusicman]

Not much point in guessing.
Let us know what you find...

[sixsix]

Has my Vote for:

Most Interesting New Thread Title in 2020.


Moderators - What do you think?

[jmderyke]

Not really ha! Pretty sure spider gears blew up when trying to make it home...... got a tow.

[MechBob]

Sounds like me,in the AM.I come down the stairs,take a left,pass some gas,then my hip pops! But anyway,yours is 4x4,why didn't you drive it home?

[Mmusicman]

..yours is 4x4,why didn't you drive it home?

Happened to me once. Blew my rear driveshaft and I put shifter into 4x4... and drove off propelled by front shaft only.

[MechBob]

Ya,music,have done it several times,in several vehicles,also.

[Astrofarian]

A little gas....turning left...and a pop! I thought this thread would be about a long weekend at a NASCAR track!

-M!ke-

[jmderyke]

Thanks for the replies! I didnt drive home because I was almost 2 hours away on a gold prospecting trip, the roads had snow and ice. I drove like 15 min and it just kept getting worse and just to keep it safe and not completely blow out the rear I figured I'd finally get my triple A tow a run.

Ill probably just hit up the pick in pull to get it back on the road quickly for now then build my rear end maybe a locker a little bit down the road.

I have the 3.73 gears, how common are those on the Astros? Or what other gm rig uses our rear end. Probably s10, blazers etc?
10 bolt 28 spline 7.6 ring

[Rod's Trucks]

Jmderyke,
OUCH! I am glad you made it out to civilization on that rear end. I've been many places with my van that very few tow trucks would attempt if I needed help. .
I have 3.73's in my AWD '98 LS (GT4 code), and I have seen several 2WD vans with those gears in the JY's.
They were not the most common, but certainly not rare. The GU6 code is 3.42 and I think is by far the most common you will find.
Good luck in your search.
Rod J
Issaquah, WA

[jmderyke]

Cool thanks, is the gt4 code the same across the board on all model gm vehicles and years?

[markmitch]

When ever I eat broccoli and then turn left I get a pop or maybe it was a poop sound LO glad you got her home. Wonder what happens if you turn right.................................................

[Leeann_93]

I have 3.73 in my ‘93, but my ‘99, ‘00, both ‘02s and ‘05 all have 3.42. None have the G80.

The Blazer/Jimmy/Bravada have the same rear (but different axles, of course). My ‘93 Bravada has 3.73 and G80 and the same AWD as my ‘93 Astro.

I’m glad you decided to call a tow. ‘Cause ouch.

[MechBob]

Why would you consider junk yard used gears, when new ones are so cheep,nowadays?Axle gears,side gears,pins,spacers,even ring and pinionions are cheep, nowadays.your biggest thing is removing all metal out of the diff,remove the carrier,(booth axles,) and scrub the interior to remove all metal pieces.And then use a magnet, to clean again.

[jmderyke]

Ha same thing happens to me with broccoli, I woke up in the middle of the night and realised another rear end wouldn't work cause the bolt pattern and you guys set me straight on that too.
I'd consider a used rear end swap just to get it back on the road quickly and take my time on rebuilding mine. Is it a waste of about 150 bucks probably but whatever.
It will be my first rear end rebuild so I wont be in a hurry.
That would be nice to find a g80, but with everything else being the same for me not likely.

[dcsleeper]

You can replace just the carrier if you use the same spacers/shims in the same place and the same brand of side bearings.

It will die after a short-ish while because you won't be able to clean the rear completely.

But it will get you going the cheapest and fastest.

[markmitch]

Not that I know this stuff at all but would it be possible to get a rear end and use your axles in the replacement so you would still have the 6 lug? I mean they changed the axles but not the whole assembly to use the 6 lug and the disc brakes right?

[AstroWill]

I purchased my other blue van(now sold) with shot spider gears. They are cheap to replace and don't require any setup. The key is to make sure that everything gets cleaned up perfectly.

So if only the spider gears are damaged, it's super easy and cheap to get you back on the road again. I used new parts, less than $100 for a set of gears, plus fluid and gasket.

[tungtide]

So the ring and pinion make for the ratio. Are all the spider gears the same? Or are they ratio minded? Asking for myself!

[AstroWill]

So the ring and pinion make for the ratio. Are all the spider gears the same? Or are they ratio minded? Asking for myself!

Ratio has nothing to do with the spider gears, just have to match the spline count.