3.45 Differential install

Drivetrain discussion including Transmission, Differential, Driveshaft, and related items.
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No Moa
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Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2016 9:30 pm
Location: Maine

Re: 3.45 Differential install

Post by No Moa »

wow what a great thread. I spent many nights sifting through the CTS-V posts about rearend swaps (I just sold a 06 CTS-V with 31k miles on it) what a pain in the rear they were, but this looks pretty straight forward. And much easier to locate parts.
2014 Caprice PPV silver
2017 Ram 3500
2002 CETA trans am
1996 Impala ss (soon to be t56)
1995 9c1
1977 Trans am SE 4spd.
1978 trans am 400 4 spd.
jackleg
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Location: SW MI

Re: 3.45 Differential install

Post by jackleg »

Wohahaha- time for the winter time upgrades..
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2011 9C1 6.0
RCR "Little Lunati" 219/223 .625/.625 112+0
Kooks headers, hi flow cats, Dynomax Super Turbos
Flex fuel tune
jackleg
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Location: SW MI

Re: 3.45 Differential install

Post by jackleg »

Finally have some time to work on the car. The driveshaft to rear end connection is the rubber fiber flex disc. Where the bolts go through the disc there are steel sleeves. The sleeves extend out from the disc and fit into recesses in the rear end yoke. The recesses in the rear end yoke on the Camaro diff have a bigger diameter then the Caprice. It all bolts up tight and the center pin seems to center every thing. Its just that before the bolts are tight there is some rotating play between the shaft and yoke. It looks like it's intended that sleeves are supposed to take the rotating force and the bolts hold it all together. With the larger recesses in the yoke it's maybe putting more stress on the bolts? Do I need a Camaro flex disc or will that not fit the Caprice driveshaft? Maybe it doesn't matter. Any one else had this issue?
Thanks
2011 9C1 6.0
RCR "Little Lunati" 219/223 .625/.625 112+0
Kooks headers, hi flow cats, Dynomax Super Turbos
Flex fuel tune
hellhammer
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Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2017 10:58 pm

Re: 3.45 Differential install

Post by hellhammer »

I know this is a little old. Dowel rings are a more precise fit than bolts and together with the receiving counter-bores they handle the rotational load. The bolts keep the two mated together. In the case you described, there will be some shifting. A different bushing/dowel ring or if the Camaro flange can also be used that would be best.
wa9ray
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Location: Mid NW Indiana

Re: 3.45 Differential install

Post by wa9ray »

Not sure where to ask this question but I have a 2014 ppv and was wanding if anyone knows if axles from any other cars will fit ? camaro,g8 ? I had a heck of a time getting the axle nut off and the threads look bad now so I want to replace it just don't want to give gm 433 dollars and change for theres, any help or advice would be great.

Thanks
Ray

2014 ppv
CrashTestDummy
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Re: 3.45 Differential install

Post by CrashTestDummy »

So I need to ask, because I'm wondering if I should be concerned with the diff I have. It seems to have a bit of play when I turn the pinion yoke. I can turn it clockwise, and it'll turn the ring gear. If I stop, and turn it counter-clockwise, there's a bit of movement, probably a couple of degrees, before the ring gear turns. Is this normal? I think it is, but have never actually turned the driveshaft on our Caprice to see if there's similar 'play'. Thanks.
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
2012 Caprice 9C1
1992 B4C 1LE Camaro
2018 Tahoe PPV (her car)
1995 DGGM Impala SS
1985 Firebird - 310 LS1 C Prepared autocross car.
1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge
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kevink
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Re: 3.45 Differential install

Post by kevink »

CrashTestDummy wrote:So I need to ask, because I'm wondering if I should be concerned with the diff I have. It seems to have a bit of play when I turn the pinion yoke. I can turn it clockwise, and it'll turn the ring gear. If I stop, and turn it counter-clockwise, there's a bit of movement, probably a couple of degrees, before the ring gear turns. Is this normal? I think it is, but have never actually turned the driveshaft on our Caprice to see if there's similar 'play'. Thanks.
Yes, that's called backlash and it's required in all rears. Measuring it is pretty simple, but you need a dial indicator. Take off the rear cover and put the dial indicator on the ring gear. Hold the pinion still and rock the ring gear back and forth. The movement of the dial indicator is your backlash. I want to say that the Camaro rears are supposed to be somewhere around 0.007", but look up the spec to verify.
2011 9C3: 11.48 @118.
CrashTestDummy
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Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 2:31 pm
Location: Pearland, Texas

Re: 3.45 Differential install

Post by CrashTestDummy »

Hmm, the pinion sure turns more than .007, and while I know it's different than measuring the ring gear, I guess I should pop the thing open and see.
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
2012 Caprice 9C1
1992 B4C 1LE Camaro
2018 Tahoe PPV (her car)
1995 DGGM Impala SS
1985 Firebird - 310 LS1 C Prepared autocross car.
1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge
And some others
Do YOU have my SPID?
Sanford
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Location: Texas Gulf Coast

Re: 3.45 Differential install

Post by Sanford »

Gene,
The 2.92 differential looks like the rear cover acts as the carrier bearing caps. The split line is inline with the center of the bearings. If it is not noisy, nothing is leaking, I personally would not touch it except for an oil change. It looks like the other ratios have a cover that can be taken off. Just my 2 cents worth.

David
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sardillim
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Location: Easton Ct

Re: 3.45 Differential install

Post by sardillim »

question did the caprice axle's fit right into the Camaro diff?
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