Changing a rear end

**vannatte** · 05-14-2009, 04:51 PM

How difficult will it be to swap out my 10 bolt with another stock 10 bolt? I can't seem to find any threads or stickies on this subject. Is this going to be a huge headache without a lift? My shop wants to charge $500+ for the swap. In case you're wondering, I'm swapping them out because my axles are bent (both rear tires toe in).

**Y2KPewterSS** · 05-14-2009, 04:53 PM

Write up on installing a 12 bolt, same principles though.

http://ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20560

**vannatte** · 05-14-2009, 05:05 PM

Thanks man! Doesn't look too bad.

**666ws6** · 05-14-2009, 05:10 PM

Wouldn't it be easier just to replace the axles? Seems like those come out pretty easy, as compared to dropping the entire thing.

**Y2KPewterSS** · 05-14-2009, 05:14 PM

I helped my best friend do his 12 bolt swap, it really was pretty simple. The only issue we had was getting the aftermarket torque arm installed. Other than that, it was a cake job.

**Cutlass** · 05-14-2009, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by 666ws6

Wouldn't it be easier just to replace the axles? Seems like those come out pretty easy, as compared to dropping the entire thing.

I think his axle housing is bent causing the toe in. If the axle itself were bent the wheels/tires would wobble going down the road.

**thearborbarber** · 05-15-2009, 01:31 AM

I swapped mine in an afternoon. Got home at noon and was driving it when the wife got home at 6pm.

**vannatte** · 05-15-2009, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by Cutlass

I think his axle housing is bent causing the toe in. If the axle itself were bent the wheels/tires would wobble going down the road.

That's what my mechanic told me. I don't see any other way for both rear tires to be toed in without the housing being bent. Any idea how that happens? I got a replacement from another LS1 forum. It was a 3 channel, 3series that already had 3.73's in it and was exactly what I was looking for and it was only $200.

**Cutlass** · 05-16-2009, 03:05 AM

While doing alignments, I noticed that no axle is perfectly straight. But yours must me bad enough for him to mention it. It usually takes some sort of accident to bend an axle housing. But that usually on one side. I don't know maybe he set the alignment machine up incorrectly or the machine itself is drifting off of accuracy.

**cant.b.caught.z28** · 05-18-2009, 12:20 PM

could you pm me the site where you got that from? I have to put a new 10 bolt in my camaro, but I don't want to spend a ton of money on it

**thearborbarber** · 05-18-2009, 04:14 PM

I got mine from these folks;

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Clevelan...__W0QQ_armrsZ1

**vannatte** · 05-18-2009, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by thearborbarber

I got mine from these folks;

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Clevelan...__W0QQ_armrsZ1

That's where I was going to get mine from, but are their rear ends had TCS (4channel) and I needed a non-TCS (3 channel). I got mine from from the parts classified section of another LS1 website.

**01ws6er** · 05-18-2009, 05:51 PM

Swap is pretty straight-forward and easy. Did mine in a few hours with a buddy drinkin beer

**BMJ99Z28** · 05-18-2009, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by 01ws6er

Swap is pretty straight-forward and easy. Did mine in a few hours with a buddy drinkin beer

Plan about 1/2 hour per beer w/a min of 4 hours so drink some beer.

**01ws6er** · 05-18-2009, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by BMJ99Z28

Plan about 1/2 hour per beer w/a min of 4 hours so drink some beer.

Yea, beer definitely slows down the actual "working" process.

**Hi-Po** · 05-18-2009, 09:27 PM

It sure does

4 hours here to get the 12 bolt out today. I also ran up to Advance auto for two more jack stands though. Do not pay someone 500 bucks to do this. A few jack stands, a few air tools would help, and a concrete floor is all you need.

**vannatte** · 05-19-2009, 07:09 PM

Will I need to use a torque wrench and/or Locktite when I put it all back together?

**Hi-Po** · 05-19-2009, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by vannatte

Will I need to use a torque wrench and/or Locktite when I put it all back together?

Yes. Need to loctite the TQ arm bolts and tighten them.... alot. Blue loctite is your friend on everything you dont want rattling loose, but still be able to dis assemble some time. "break away" strength.

**01ws6er** · 05-20-2009, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by Hi-Po

Yes. Need to loctite the TQ arm bolts and tighten them.... alot. Blue loctite is your friend on everything you dont want rattling loose, but still be able to dis assemble some time. "break away" strength.

PB blaster and a breaker bar with a pipe on the end is what I use!

**Hi-Po** · 05-20-2009, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by 01ws6er

PB blaster and a breaker bar with a pipe on the end is what I use!

I used my IR 2131. I really wish I brought my IR 2141 3/4 gun home. Its kinda hard to use my 5 foot cheater pipe under car. I loctited the hell outta them though and hammered on them. Should be good. Good my 9" all primered, painted and assembled today. Moving that rear end fully assembled around is a total PITA.