I'm going to start ordering the parts to clean up the 8.2 we picked up, but I could use some guidance from someone who knows these rears. Here's the basic list of what I'm looking to do to get it road ready on the cheap: 1) swap on a new cover along with gasket and bolts 2) change pinion seal 3) replace brake lines 4) replace e-brake cables Here's where I need some help: Should I also do the axle seals and bearings while I have it open? If so can it be done without a press? Would it be worthwhile to do the brake cylinders while it's on the floor or is there a way to test them without putting the rear in the car? Where is the vent on this thing and how would I go about replacing it? What fluid do you use in a non-posi one of these?
If you are going through the trouble of replacing a pinion seal, I would think you would also do the axle bearings and seals. If the pinion seal isn't leaking, I'd think that the axles are more important. I believe you need a press. Wheel cylinders are pretty cheap. Just look if they are seeping or not. I would expect the vent to be in the same place as other GM axles, up top of the axle tube. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1964-81-GM-...Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d3e66323c&vxp=mtr 80W/90 gear oil. This is what I use, http://www.ebay.com/itm/VALVOLINE-V...788?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3381ce190c
The pinion is definitely leaking. That's a must do fix. The axles seals I'm not sure on since I haven't started stripping the drums off yet. I heard that the bearings on these rears go into the axle tubes and others said that they go on the axles themselves. That's where I'm getting confused. If I can yank the bearings out and knock some new ones in with a hammer and socket than I'll do it, but if they need a thousand pound press it's not something I can do myself.
