110,000miles!!

[ScrapMaker]

oh and my alternator sounds like a supercharger... but until it goes, I'm gonna drive it like I stole it...

I want one of those 250+ amp alts for my future stereo plans...

[LS1Chris]

at 105k I've had to change the A/C Tensioner and Idler pullies, and other basic stuff... no sensors or anything so far...

I have strange noises from the rear end when I am coasting, or turning slowly... I've been told I need a rebuild... and I'm betting by now I need new axles as well... we'll see... I've never driven a car that's had problems with the rear, so this new to me...

I still don't know why GM put the crappy 7.5" 10-bolt on our cars... luckily you can find the good 8.5" for cheap... that may be what I do instead..

also, my passenger window has been slower than the driver since I have owned it... ~15k miles... what causes this, and would wire upgrades help this?

80% says it's your axle bearings. The ones cloest to the rear wheels.
Might as well need new axles since there may be galling on the axles from the old bearings. GM wants like $300 per axle in where you can get Moser axles for $200 for 2.

Better wires won't help the pax side power window, it's the motor and the resistance in sliding the glass up/down. Only way is replacement of the motor.

[ScrapMaker]

are the Moser axles direct-replacement or do they need to be shortened?

[LS1Chris]

are the Moser axles direct-replacement or do they need to be shortened?

They have direct replacements, I have them on mine.

If you're gonna get them, opt to have longer studs since the studs that came with mine weren't long enough to stock length.

[ScrapMaker]

damn I don't know if I wanna fool with all that... isn't the TCS also a pain to deal with?? is that inside the differential?? do the Moser axles work fine with all that?

I can't decide if I should just get a whole new rear, and the appropriate axles to go with them, because our 7.5"s are notorious for... well, sucking... chevy made a great 8.5" 10-bolt, as well as 12 bolts... I may try and figure out how easy it is to swap... and still retain my rear discs...

[juiced99ws6]

105,000 miles.. 100 lbs of nitrous.. plenty of hard track runs

currently needs power steering pump (works when it wants)
replaced window motors
everything else nothing but routine maintenance

[juiced99ws6]

damn I don't know if I wanna fool with all that... isn't the TCS also a pain to deal with?? is that inside the differential?? do the Moser axles work fine with all that?

I can't decide if I should just get a whole new rear, and the appropriate axles to go with them, because our 7.5"s are notorious for... well, sucking... chevy made a great 8.5" 10-bolt, as well as 12 bolts... I may try and figure out how easy it is to swap... and still retain my rear discs...

with the moser you can have it ready to work with your TCS and ABS at an additional cost. When you get the axle make sure you have the connectors on it for both or it will not work and you just did an axle install just to have it ripped out returned and replaced.. but yeah everything will still work just fine for you. You could also go with a strange 9" or something of that nature

[ScrapMaker]

do most people simply have the stock rebuilt, or do they go with a 12-bolt?

I wonder what modifications are necessary to go with a 12-bolt... because I never plan on going much over 400 crank hp.... just bolt ons...

I can have my diff rebuilt for 700, assuming that it's just a regular rebuild... but seeing how everyone and their dogs seem to have bad axles... I bet the price will skyrocket...

[ScrapMaker]

I just talked to Austin DriveTrain and to do a COMPLETE rebuild, while maintaining the original housing, (that's the only original part,) would cost me $1,350.

This includes both new axle shafts, all bearings, carrier, pinion, ring gear etc... everything....

I wonder if it's worth it to put so much money back into a 7.5" setup??

[LS1Chris]

damn I don't know if I wanna fool with all that... isn't the TCS also a pain to deal with?? is that inside the differential?? do the Moser axles work fine with all that?

I can't decide if I should just get a whole new rear, and the appropriate axles to go with them, because our 7.5"s are notorious for... well, sucking... chevy made a great 8.5" 10-bolt, as well as 12 bolts... I may try and figure out how easy it is to swap... and still retain my rear discs...

If you have ASR/TCS, it's easy. All you need is to get the direct replacement axles for ASR/TCS rearend (2 channels), these will come with a machined flange for the TCS wheel to be pressed into.

As for me, I used a 4 foot long crow bar to remove the old TCS ring on each axle. I stand them vertically with the studs facing the floor, and have one person hold onto the splined end of the axle and I pry up on 4 point on the TCS ring using some care. It will come off without much diffcultity. Most people take it to the shop which has a press to get them removed/installed.

I cleaned the inside of the TCS ring and hammered them evenly onto the new axles using a 2x4 block and a hammer. Make sure you rotate the axles confirimg it runs true.

The shop that did my alignement quoted me $600 to rebuild the rearend including the carrier bearings. I then took it to a friend's house on the way home and he came for a ride and said it's the axle bearings. Total cost was 300 including new axles, bearings, seals, and rearend oil.

[LS1Chris]

I wonder if it's worth it to put so much money back into a 7.5" setup??

That's kinda alot for a rearend complete rebuild. You could go to a 12 bolt rearend for like 2 grand plus additional for higher ratio gears, TCS setup, etc.

See how bad it is first before dumping a load of money on the rearend.

You could get a used f-body rearend for cheap, say like $500-900.

[ScrapMaker]

but the f-body rear ends just flat-out suck...

if I just need the axles and bearings replaced... I'm looking at $500... parts and labor... but the 8.5"s are known to handle 700hp stock... while ours break under normal use somehow...

[LS1Chris]

but the f-body rear ends just flat-out suck...

if I just need the axles and bearings replaced... I'm looking at $500... parts and labor... but the 8.5"s are known to handle 700hp stock... while ours break under normal use somehow...

I'm thinking you have a M6 right? It's the shock that kills the rearend, not the power.

[00SLPSS]

I'm thinking you have a M6 right? It's the shock that kills the rearend, not the power.

By shock do you mean initial clutch dump with a sticky tire, or something else?

[ScrapMaker]

A4 here... and the car seems fine, power-wise.... I do normal, two-wheel burn-outs... it's just the noise around turns.. e.g. the axle bearings... but after inspection, a shop told me that the carrier would need to be replaced... so I need to do the whole thing I guess...

[LS1Chris]

By shock do you mean initial clutch dump with a sticky tire, or something else?

Yep.

[98goldta]

congratulations, as you can see by my sig you have plenty of miles left in your car. the key is the maintenance like everyone says. i have done an enormous amount of work to stay on top of the little things. i am including my log of everything i have ever done to my car. its pretty extensive...
ODOMETER READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED
6900 changed oil 10w-30
9000 changed rear axle lubricant. added 4oz gm additive and 80w-90
10000 rotated tires, low pressure pumped up all 4
14538 changed oil and filter 10w-30
15150 rotated tires, torqued to 100 lbs/ft
15200 changed air filter
16162 bob@mcnamara had front rotors turned
22799 oil & filter change 10w-30 /pf44
25000 rotated tires , toe is out of alignment
25359 goodyear,orlando 4 wheel alignment, toe was out
29937 oil & filter change pf44/10w-30. air filter change a917c or a34852
30682 bob@mcnamara egr replacement recall.new belt , turned rotors
36820 oil change pf44/10w-30
38320 bob@mcnamara replaced front rotors
42585 oil & filter change pf44/10w-30. air filter change a917c or a34852 fuel filter change , f54714 purolator
43161 goodyear,kiss. 4 new tires f1 steels. p245/50zr16
43250 bob@mcnamara transmission fluid change,13 qts mic'ed rotors
46613 replaced front brake pads,napa, rotated tires
49022 oil & filter change 10w-30 /pf44
50157 rotated tires
53550 rotated tires
54345 oil & filter change 10w-30 /pf44
58233 oil & filter change 10w-30 /pf44. rotated tires
59384 replaced air filter with k&n type (1 million miles)
62830 oil & filter change 10w-30 /pf44. new serpentine gpk1995 or 2003
62982 rotated tires, torqued to 100 lbs/ft
67464 oil & filter change 10w-30 /pf44
69098 rotated tires, torqued to 100 lbs/ft
72434 oil & filter change 10w-30 /pf44, changed fuel filter ff508
74210 new tire and rotated tires torqued to 100 lbs/ft
75508 oil & filter change synthetic 10w-30 pl20123
78288 changed spark plugs. original 41-931ac new ngk-tr55 (3951) .060gap
80490 oil & filter change mobil 1 10w-30 pl20123
81731 rotated tires,turned rotors,new frt pads, new a/c and serpentine belts gates (410&785),cleaned and reoiled k&n filter
86503 oil & filter change mobil 1 10w-30 pf58
92790 oil & filter change mobil 1 10w-30 pf58, changed fuel filter , rotated tires.
96336 mcnamara transmission filter and fluid change
98080 new bilstein shocks fr,rr, poly sway bar bushings ,oil & filter change mobil 1 10w-30 pf 58 , cleaned air filter, new firestones sz50ep 245/50zr16
101761 replaced both air injection check valves. pass.side failed.ses code
102440 changed spark plugs,ngk -tr55 .055 gap, new serpentine belt free gates 785
103743 oil & filter change pf58 and 10w-30 rotated tires torqued to 90lbs/ft
111296 oil & filter change mobil 1 10w-30 pl20123
111340 performed pcv mod
113600 cleaned air filter k&n type
119553 oil & filter change valvoline 10w-30 pl20123 , changed coolant in radiator(dexcool), Changed spark plugs denso 41-974 plat., cleaned carbon out of cylinders using sea-foam , changed gas filter ff508.
122589 rotated tires
123091 replaced battery with optima red top. 870ca
124138 changed oil and filter 10w-30 valvoline pl20123
132366 changed oil and filter 10w-30 valvoline pl20123
134100 new front rotors from autozone, reused oem pads that were kept from 4/21/99
136590 turned rear rotors.1.07ds 1.09ps left on thickness. Cut pads to remove ridges.
136818 new tires installed. Goodyear eagle hp plus p255/50zr16 . Changed fuel filter P54714. Sent fuel injectors out to cruzinperformance to have cleaned and flow tested . Repaired pcv tubing . Removed intake and cleaned out oil. Broke oil sending unit /replaced with new.disassembled maf and cleaned wires,
139139 changed oil and filter 10w-30 valvoline pl20123
142021 goodyear ,orlando had steering wheel shake. road force variation balanced tires. Rotated tires. 9/32 of tread left.
144056 turned rear rotors. .97 thickness left on both. Not reusable. Cleaned and lubed the caliper pins on both sides.
144274 drivers side air injection check valve failed completely. Replaced from napa. No codes thrown this time.
144652 changed oil and filter 10w-30 valvoline p20123
149339 rotated tires. Plugged leak
149986 mcnamara transmission fluid change,13 qts
151473 rearend differential oil change. Valvoline 80-90w gl5. With gm limited slip additive
151665 changed oil and filter 10w-30 valvoline pl20123
152000 installed pcv oil seperator, ss catch can on fender in front of battery.
154555 installed new rear rotors from autozone. Painted front and rear rotor hubs black.
154835 Replaced both ac and serpentine belts FREE ,gates 410 & 785
154936 ACCIDENT AT GAS STATION. SUV BACKED OVER THE FRONT OF CAR HAVE PICS.TOOK CAR TO ALL PRO COLLISION TO REPAIR.PROGRESSIVE AUTO INSURANCE TO PAY IT ALL. LOANER IS A SUNFIRE GT. ACCIDENT REPORT FILED WITH HIGHWAY PATROL. OTHER DRIVER WAS ISSUED A TICKET FOR IMPROPER BACKING. ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT 2:10 THIS REALLY SUCKS !
154041 car is to be repaired in 5 days. Hood , front bumper, right headlight assembly. Bumper subframe.
156300 replaced radiator cap ac delco RC94
157690 changed oil and filter 10w-30 valvoline pl20123
159354 Rotated tires appears the front is out of alignment
160007 Big 10 tires had all 4 tires balanced. 1 appears out of round. 1 was out of balance. Had the alignment checked and it was not outside specs. Reduced tire pressures to 32 psi. tires are junk.
161105 drivers side window guide roller broke. Drilled and tapped 1/4 20 and reattached.
162742 oil change 20123 /10w-30 cleanned air filter and reoiled. Changed fuel filter. Replaced pinion seal. Replaced output shaft bushing and seal. Replaced both universal joints.
169358 replaced tires with michlin pilot sport a/s p245/50zr16. Drivers side rear rim has a high spot on it. It balanced out but may give vibration.
169380 Changed oil and filter 10w-30 valvoline pl20123
175919 Changed oil and filter 10w-30 valvoline pl20123 rotated tires high spot rim is on drivers front
181296 replaced drive shaft with linginfelter aluminum 3.5 in w/spicer universals
181380 replaced both air check valves. Both leaking. Codes thrown this time.
182859 Changed oil and filter 10w-30 valvoline pl20123
Big Oaks Pont. had rearend checked. Vibration is not tires,but the axle itself. Mechanic said it was the pinion gone. Will seek advice before I do the work.
189641 Changed oil and filter 10w-30 valvoline pl20123
195942 Installed new axle. Moser 12 bolt, eaton posi, 3.08 gear,universal joint napa #448, bearing retention no c-clips. Reprogrammed the pcm to 3.08 gear ratio. Changed the fan temp settings to lower setting all using the ls1 edit software.
196525 Changed oil and filter 10w-30 valvoline pl20123
199792 Changed oil in axle. 2 qts of 80w90 dino. + gm limited slip additive. next time use the gasket for a 12 bolt 69 camaro.
200130 Front and rear brake overhaul. New ceramix pads f&r . replaced seals and o-rings. Drained the entire brake system and refilled with dot 3 fluid. Sand blasted calipers and painted glossy black. Found 1 stuck piston and 1 guide pin seized. Rotated tires .slight bent rim now on drivers side back
201146 purchased new bilstien shocks to replace bilstiens under warranty.. Some difference noted. Not sure if they will cover. car does handle better
203952 Replaced plugs. Bosc platinum +4. changed fuel filter. Changed oil and filter 10w30 pl20123. put can of seafoam in tank.
208590 replaced a/c belt and serpentine belt. Dayco brand
209912 apt. complex someone backed into the front of the car. Damaged the hood front bumper and the supporting forms.
210116 mcgee tire New tires installed. Falken Ziex 512 245/50 zr16. road force balanced. drivers rear was out 28lbs spec is 26.
210900 Changed oil and filter 10w-30 max life valvoline. Pl20123 filter. Drivers side lca bushing failing. Need new lca's
211135 Installed BMR lower control arms. Poly/poly bushings
213690 mcgee tire had to have all 4 tires rebalanced. Front pass side really bad , back pass had to spin tire on rim. Runs great now

[ScrapMaker]

98goldta
"154835 Replaced both ac and serpentine belts FREE ,gates 410 & 785
154936 ACCIDENT AT GAS STATION. SUV BACKED OVER THE FRONT OF CAR HAVE PICS.TOOK CAR TO ALL PRO COLLISION TO REPAIR.PROGRESSIVE AUTO INSURANCE TO PAY IT ALL. LOANER IS A SUNFIRE GT. ACCIDENT REPORT FILED WITH HIGHWAY PATROL. OTHER DRIVER WAS ISSUED A TICKET FOR IMPROPER BACKING. ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT 2:10 THIS REALLY SUCKS !
154041 car is to be repaired in 5 days. Hood , front bumper, right headlight assembly. Bumper subframe."

Must have been one HELL of a wreck!!! I mean, if the speedometer started going backwards!!

[98goldta]

thanks scrapmaker
its a typo should be 154941 , but i can tell you i was some pissed when it happened maybe the odometer did go backwards.