[TTSaleen]

I love my 3.45s!!!!!!

 

[iMac]

Been starring at my 3.45 diff in the garage for weeks but waiting on other parts to come so I can just knock everything out at once... I'm pretty excited to have my kooks in and finally get a good tune with bolts ons and that new diff, however my tires are probably not going to be very happy with my decision....

 

[tomato]

im probably going to be going with some 3.91's getting a great deal on them

 

[TexasXD1]

Old thread but its been revived once or twice so what the hell. Doing this swap here in the near future and want to be sure I have all the parts as it will be on the holiday weekend where getting anything will be next to impossible.

Will one bottle of the GM diff fluid be enough? Along with the friction modifier of course.

Can I resuse all of the hardware? I have read where GM says to replace a few of the bolts but doesn't seem necessary given the posts. What about the axle snap rings, can those be reused?

For the axle nuts, what are the specs for torquing those back on? Just give it hell until the ~260 lbft mark?

I am following the couple of write ups on the other board for the axle removal and diff removal as they seem pretty thorough.

Any helpful advice or tips are appreciated.

 

[Featherburner]

Old thread but its been revived once or twice so what the hell. Doing this swap here in the near future and want to be sure I have all the parts as it will be on the holiday weekend where getting anything will be next to impossible.

Will one bottle of the GM diff fluid be enough? Along with the friction modifier of course.

Can I resuse all of the hardware? I have read where GM says to replace a few of the bolts but doesn't seem necessary given the posts. What about the axle snap rings, can those be reused?

For the axle nuts, what are the specs for torquing those back on? Just give it hell until the ~260 lbft mark?

I am following the couple of write ups on the other board for the axle removal and diff removal as they seem pretty thorough.

Any helpful advice or tips are appreciated.

You really don't need to remove the axle nuts or the axles for that matter. My diff took a little over one bottle of gear oil. I reused all of the hardware. It's a good idea to replace the axle seals in the diff before you start.

 

[TexasXD1]

You really don't need to remove the axle nuts or the axles for that matter. My diff took a little over one bottle of gear oil. I reused all of the hardware. It's a good idea to replace the axle seals in the diff before you start.

Is it pretty straight forward to do without removing the axles? What do I need to still remove to go this route?

 

[Featherburner]

Is it pretty straight forward to do without removing the axles? What do I need to still remove to go this route?

Remove the callipers, Upper control arm to spindle bolt, Toe rod to spindle bolt, and Trailing arm to spindle bolt. Basically the spindle is bolted to the lower control arm and pulled out at the top. Use a large pry bar to pop the axle out of the diff.

 

[TexasXD1]

Remove the callipers, Upper control arm to spindle bolt, Toe rod to spindle bolt, and Trailing arm to spindle bolt. Basically the spindle is bolted to the lower control arm and pulled out at the top. Use a large pry bar to pop the axle out of the diff.

Same basic process less removing the axle it seems, more or less anyway.

The diff has low miles and assuming the removal was carefully done I may chance axle seals.

So 2 bottles of diff fluid and additive should do me I reckon.

 

[TexasXD1]

Is it more beneficial to drop the whole cradle for this or is that overkill?

 

[Supercharged]

That is overkill unless you are changing the cradle bushings.

 

[TexasXD1]

That is overkill unless you are changing the cradle bushings.

That's my thought... two birds with one stone.

 

[Featherburner]

That's my thought... two birds with one stone.

I dropped the cradle just low enought to install the bushing inserts then raised and bolted back up. Then dropped the diff.

 

[TexasXD1]

I dropped the cradle just low enought to install the bushing inserts then raised and bolted back up. Then dropped the diff.

Spent the day researching and I think I will wait on the bushings and do more of a rear end overhaul at some point rather than just the cradle bushings. Got ahead of myself :drink: