Chevy Differentials: How to Rebuild the 10- and 12-Bolt

by Jefferson Bryant

Overview

Millions of Chevrolet vehicles were built and sold in the 1960s and 1970s, and the great majority of those were rear-wheel-drive models with differentials known as 10-bolts or 12-bolts. High-performance limited-slip versions of these differentials also have been installed in Camaros, Chevelles, Corvettes, and many other GM muscle cars from 1964 through the 1970s, as well as Chevy and GMC trucks. If you have owned a GM performance car from the 1960s or 1970s, you have owned one of these sturdy, reliable, and versatile differentials.

Many of these differentials are now more than 40 years old and are due for an overhaul. In Chevy Differentials: How to Rebuild the 10- and 12-Bolt, author Jefferson Bryant walks you through the entire process of disassembling, evaluating, and rebuilding the perfect differential for your GM application. In this step-by-step guide, you learn how to completely disassemble the differential, evaluate components, and select replacement parts. You're also shown all of the up-to-date techniques for re-assembling the differential and axle. Informative sections on axle identification and replacement parts are also provided.

Maybe you have found a salvage-yard unit and want to rebuild it to upgrade your existing vehicle. Maybe you would like to install an aftermarket 12-bolt assembly for extreme performance or racing. This is the only book dedicated solely to rebuilding, setting up, and modifying these axle assemblies for long service life and maximum performance. If you're going to rebuild a Chevy 10- or 12-bolt axle, this book delivers the essential information to get the job done right.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781613251614
Publisher:	CarTech
Publication date:	05/05/2015
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	443,334
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Jefferson Bryant laid his eyes on a 1978 Firebird at age six, and he knew he would be a car guy for life. He has authored several books, including LS Swaps: How to Swap GM LS Engines into Almost Anything. He has contributed scores of magazine articles to Car Craft, Rod and Custom, Dragzine, Super Chevy, and others. He recently launched Street Tech, his own automotive magazine.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

What Is a Workbench® Book?

Chapter 1:

History and Identification

10-Bolt Identification

12-Bolt Identification

Chapter 2:

Suspension Types and Differential Housings

Leaf Spring Rear Suspension

Watt’s Linkage Rear Suspension

Coil Spring Rear Suspension

Triangulated Four-Link Rear Suspension

Independent Rear Suspension

Project: Building a Universal Axle

Front Suspension

Advanced Suspension Components

Project: Installing an A-Body Axle with Tubular Arms

Project: Updating Inside the Housing

Bearings and Races

Chapter 3:

Disassembly

Main Housing

Limited-Slip or Open Differential?

External Inspection

Axle Removal

Pinion Yoke Removal

Axle Shaft Removal

Carrier Removal

Pinion Removal

Cleaning the Housing

Project: Converting a 12-Bolt for a 1967 Chevy Truck

Chapter 4:

Assembly

Open Differentials

Limited-Slip Differentials

Project: Installing Plug and Separator Block

Project: Installing Ladder Bars

Clutch-Type Differentials

Project: Rebuilding a Clutch-Type Differential

Axle Assembly Continues

Chapter 5:

Gears

Determine Gear Ratio

Gear Selection

Ring Gears and Carrier

Ring Gear Bolts

Bearing Installation

Ring and Pinion Machining

Speedometers

Chapter 6:

Axles

Torque Load

Spline Design

Stock versus Aftermarket Axles

Aftermarket Upgrades

Project: Replacing Wheel Studs

Chapter 7:

Setup and Installation

Project: Installing an Axle Assembly and Differential

Pinion Depth

Pinion Gear Patterns

Project: Pattern Checking

Project: Setting the Base Pinion Depth

Ring Gear Backlash

Project: Setting the Ring Gear Backlash

Project: Setting Up a Dial Indicator

Preload Adjustments

Complete the Rebuild

Gear Break-In Procedure

Chapter 8:

Driveshafts

Choosing a Builder

Power Output Considerations

Carrier Bearings

U-Joint

Mounting Options

Removal Methods

Project: Installing a Driveshaft U-Joint

Snap Rings

Project: Modifying a Stock Driveshaft

Chapter 9:

Lockers and Spools

Auto Lockers

Mechanical Locking Differentials

Electronic Locking Differentials

Drop-in Lockers

Spools

Chapter 10:

Wheels and Tires

Wheel Fitment

Project: Creating a Wheel Fitment Jig

Project: Measuring for Tire Clearance

Tire Codes

Tire Grading

Tire Use

Tire Construction

Tire Sizing

Tire Storage

Tire Selection

Source Guide

Editorial Reviews

"Anyone taking on a modern Chevrolet restoration ought to read this."

Hemmings Motor News - Jim Donnelly

"Every Chevy do-it-yourselfer needs a copy."

Old Cars Weekly

"Very well done book on 10 and 12 bolt rear ends. Folks, if you always wanted to setup your own gears, now is the time, using this book. A wealth of information—basic and well above the basics, which is what most people would like to know!"

engine professional - Mike Caruso