3.07 rear end

[skokie]

I am going to go look at a 3.07 rear end tomorrow. The owner said he has no prob with me opening up the cover and looking at it. Beside metal particles what else should I be look for?

Thanks

[lukecp]

It is pretty tough to assess the conditon of a junkyard rear without driving the truck it is in.....i bought one that looked perfectly fine (no metal in the fluid or anything) and it was junk.

I would look for metal like you said, and check to see if any has setteled out to the bottom of the case. Also make sure the pinion hasn't come forward at some point and scraped the carrier...there will be marks ground into it. Also grap ahold of the pinion and check for up/down movement and any play...i don't think there should be any at all (someone correct me if i am wrong).

Anyway.....12-bolts are a great rear if they don't have like a million miles on them.....if it is in a fairly original truck that appears to have low mileage, and the innards look fine you will proably be OK

[skokie]

When you say pinion are you referring to the piece that comes from the back of the housing and connects to the axle?

[lukecp]

The pinion is the smaller of the two gears....the yolk (piece that the driveshaft attaches to the rear with) is at one end, and the other end has teeth and contacts the ring gear.

Grab the yolk and try to move it around...check for play here. I'm not totally sure how much is to be expected...but i know alot is not good.

[skokie]

Sounds good. I will let you know when I get back.
Thanks