Rear axle opinions

Discussion in 'Got gears?' started by rh455, Oct 24, 2005.

  1. Iceman8.6

    Iceman8.6 Well-Known Member

    OK, 8.5 it is then, seems you have all the parts figured out that you need. Does the $1400 include you putting it together or is someone else going to do it? OPH, which A-bodys got the A-10 bearings? Are referring to the station wagon rear ends? I've never found a 71-72 8.5 A body that used anything other than the A-9 bearings. Theres a junkyard near here that has a 71 Skylark station wagon. Will that rear end fit into a 70-72 GS??
     
  2. GStage1

    GStage1 Always looking for parts!

    That 71 Skylark wagon will have a 3.08 rear. You better get it. Also, wagons have boxed frames so get the trans x-mbr because you can sell that to convertible owners.
     
  3. oPh

    oPh Well-Known Member

    Reynold,
    The 8.5 will more than hold up, have r/e's in similiar weight footbraked A-bodys running nearly a second quicker. If you were planning a heavy bracket car that would see nearly weekly use at various 1/8 mile, 1000 ft, & 1/4 mile tracks, I'd suggest a well built 9", just due to ability to swap pumpkins. Would suggest the same (built up nod hsging 9") if you were running a transbrake. A propperly built-up 9" with at least two built nodular 3rd members is not going to be cheap... at least 3K.

    On parts sourcing, might watch e-Bay & BB's for deals on new Eaton carriers. Summit & Randys are not giving deals on the Eatons. Moser axles with 1/2" ford shank studs will run $332.50 + aprox $22 shipping. If planning on rear aftermarket rear disc brakes (Baer) the diam of the axle flange can be figured in by Moser. One can even run rear drum set-up with these axles till one pops for Baer super street set-up.

    Saving a little more on Moser's price... One can source BCA or Timken A9 bearings & National 712146 seals locally. Autozone (of all places!) sells the Timken A-9 for 10.99-11.99 each. The National seals are $7-8 each. So... for '71-72 A-9 bearing axles, looking at under $385, shipped, on the axles & bearings & you'll need to reuse your axle retainers & have bearings pressed on.
    Hope this helps.
    :3gears:
    Roger
     
  4. oPh

    oPh Well-Known Member

    Reynold,
    Randy's should sell the thicker spring plates & 600 or 800Lb springs if you pick up a std 30 spline 8.5 Eaton carrier for say $350 shipped. If you like the stealth look from rear bumper side, Tom's Differential in CA sells lh steel caps...no need for the T/A rear cover, & it's the lh cap that is stressed. Realise T/A is Buick guys, & propperly fitting the lh caps are not a bolton. On the bench I have a '68 355 posi coded Chevelle hsg. The lh cap was broken, so am about to call up Tom's & order a steel cap.

    On the A-10 A-body housing, can't say I've pulled one out of a Buick A-body wagon. For some reason, I've always pulled them out of Olds wagons & memory serves right, a few Buicks wagon rears, I pulled were only A-9. Over last couple years I've dragged in a few VistaCruisers & flattops mainly to part out, & I needed the rear hsgs. Have a Viking blue '71 flattop Cutlass wagon mothballed, may build it one day :Do No:
    :3gears:
    Roger
     
  5. Iceman8.6

    Iceman8.6 Well-Known Member

    George, will 70-72 Skylark wagon rears bolt straight into the regular Skylarks or do you have to modify them? Was posis common in those years Skylark wagons?
     
  6. rh455

    rh455 Well-Known Member

    Roger
    How do I know what housing I have, A10 or A9?

    Something else that I'm considering....
    If I get the Eaton posi in 30 spline, I know it'll fit my housing with the strange carrier bearings. What I don't know if there's a difference in axle shaft diameter between 28 and 30 spline axles. If I order standard length axles for my 8.5 but with 30 splines instead of 28, will a larger diameter shaft have to be cut down to fit my bearing size? Is the splined end of the shaft LARGER on a 30 spline than a 28?

    I've come across billet caps also. Do they need to be machined to fit?
     
  7. oPh

    oPh Well-Known Member

    Reynold,
    Good morning. Not sure on which axle blank Moser starts with. The inside diameter of an A10 axle bearing is larger than that of an A9, so it is critical Moser knows which 8.5 A-body rear you have. In your pic with the Warner-Motive posi, I can tell it is A9 rear, as there are two different center housings & you have the common housing version that was not used with A10 axle tubes. On the billet caps, they have to fitted. Lot of careful measuring. In fitting caps, I've got away with carefully using a good friends shop's bench mounted belt sander. One could set-up & trim the cap using a surface grinder, just don't have access to one.

    For 30 spline 8.5 carrier in place of 28 spline carrier, you will need different carrier bearings & races than the norm. Considering buying some form of bearing kit, have the seller swap out the carrier bearings & races for the following:
    (2) LM102949
    (2) LM102910.

    Good luck with your build.
    :3gears:
    Roger
     
  8. rh455

    rh455 Well-Known Member

    That's exactly what I was thinking of doing with the billet caps. I was going to buy a belt sander and file to fit. How tight of a clearance do I need on the bearing? Also, would you recommend the regular Eaton unit (400#) or have an HD unit built (800#)? Are those part#'s listed Timken #'s?
     
  9. sbbuick

    sbbuick My driving scares people!

    Is that a fact? I have a Canadian Olds 12Bolt (chevy style) is the fact that they're Canadian the reason they have better axles??
     

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