In a broken clock/blind squirrel type situation I picked up a '71/72 10 Bolt BOP 8.5" rear end with bolt in axles, 3.08 gears, and posi off of Craigslist. I got help from the collective ID'ing it here: https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/help-with-rear-end-id.378401/ So, I'm not well versed in rear ends. I'm going to swap this for the 8.2 inch in my '66 Skylark, and while it's out I figured it's easier to look for failure points or general things to do now while it's out of the car. I plan to keep the 3.08 ratio for now and see how I like it to avoid project creep and additional expense. Ideally I'd just throw it in as-is. Any advice on what to look for? Here's a pic for the ring gear teeth. Not sure what I'm looking for here but my untrained eyes don't see anything awry. I pulled one axle and confirmed 28 spline. The bearing came out with the axle, and I assume that is the way it's supposed to be? The outer bearing surface looks pretty good with no visible scoring. It's been sitting for a while but seems ok? What should I look for in the posi? When I move the pinion shaft there is a small 'click' when it mates with the ring gear. How much is too much? Sincerely appreciate any guidance.
If it were me,I would service it. At least new bearings & seals,but it would be good to service the posi unit too. The rear s 50 years old and history is unknown.
Ok - what is included in a service aside from bearings and seals? What would a posi service entail? Would I have to do a new crush sleeve? Appreciate any advice - this is all foreign to me.
Posi service is usually new clutches. You remove the carrier, keep track and count of the shims on either side of the carrier bearings the pinion bearing is not disturbed, therefore the crush sleave is neither. Then disassemble the carrier............ rotate the side gears out, remove the clutch springs........... be very careful, its the tricky part, I havent done one in awhile so Im not giving advice In actuality I'd just run the rear as is, new cover gasket, new gear oil with posi additive, bolt 'er in and do some burn outs, the rear may be just fine.
That unit is a cone style posi. Send the unit to Jim. He can re-machine the internals to tighten everything back up. I have him do that to all of the BOP 8.2”,68-70 Buick 8.2”,and the 8.5” cone units.
