'99 Silverado 4.3 to 5.3 Swap with 4L80e bonus

[Supercharged111]

These are hybrid axles, similar to the 9.5" 14 bolt 6 lug of the GMT400 trucks.

The carrier is 9.5" "14 bolt", but the axle tubes are closer to the 10 bolt? I think that's what I read. And the cover has 12 bolts, so that's what the name that's been adopted: 9.5" 12 bolt.

So it'll hold the power, but not the weight of hauling heavy?

 

[stutaeng]

So it'll hold the power, but not the weight of hauling heavy?

I don't know, LOL. Maybe the axle tube are larger? I'll let you know when I tear into it.

I thought the old 10 bolt was phased out on those trucks, but I see them on the trucks with the 4.3. I haven't looked at the specs to compare numbers. But certain the ratings were increased throughout, compared to the outgoing GMT 900.

Here's an older article of a guy regearing it when it was then still pretty new:

TECH: Installing Gears in a 2014 Silverado 9.5" Axle

www.gmfullsize.com

 

[stutaeng]

@Supercharged111 I measured the axle shafts and counted 33 splines. Unfortunately, my 16" wheels didn't fit. I either have to go with larger wheels or try to swap the brakes and rotors from mine.

The rear calipers have independent hydraulic lines, and there's what seems like a speed sensor each of the axle tubes. Suspect it's some traction control aid to brake wheels indepently as system detects wheel spin?. I'm obviously not using the sensors and will see if I can plumb the 2 hydraulic lines into one. The hydraulic fittings look the same as my truck.

I ordered 4.10s.

How do you remove the carrier? I removed the bearing caps and tried wedging a pry bar, but couldn't get it to pop out.

 

[stutaeng]

Well, I was able to remove the carrier and pinion. I had to wack the pinion with a 10 lb sledgehammer to get it to budge from the case. I tried a 12lb SDS max concrete demolition hammer with blunt point, LOL. But that didn't work.

I heated the carrier with a heat gun and used some wood on 4 jackstands to remove the ring gear.

I'm not sure how to remove the pinion bearing. I don't have a press. I saw a YT video of a guy using a split bearing separator and a sort of puller. Maybe I'll check what the O'Reilly's has for rent.

 

[kennythewelder]

The pinion bearing and carrier bearings, all need to be pressed. Almost every machine shop will do this for you, and a lot of transmission shops will too. You don't want to scar up anything.

 

[stutaeng]

I got my 4.10s in the mail. It has the crush sleeve and the pinion seal. I ordered them from East Coast gear something... I still need to order the bearings. I think only the pinion bearing will get replaced, since everything looks pristine and this is a newer-ish axle. I'll use the old bearing to setup the pinion depth by honing the inside diameter.

I tried briefly to install the ring gear heating it with a heat gun, but didn't work and I didn't want to force it. I just watched a video where a guy heated the ring gear in an oven. I don't think my wife will allow that. I may try my grill?

I may have a little toaster oven somewhere.

Oh, and I bought a 20 ton press too.

 

[df2x4]

I don't think my wife will allow that.

I've been told that the trick to things like this is to ask for forgiveness after the fact instead of permission before doing it.

 

[1997]

or when she goes out shopping ....

 

[SAATR]

Just run the self cleaning cycle after you're done, and blame it for "that smell".

 

[stutaeng]

I tried again today. In addition to heating the ring gear, I stuck the carrier in a plastic bag and put it in my deep freezer.

First try I dropped it in, but the bolt holes were off a bit. Doh. Next try I used 2 drill bits that matched as closely to the bolt threads as "alignment" pins. And that worked!

New ring gear is torqued to spec.