Ring Gear Bolts

[bigblu78]

I bought a 94 Blazer that I have been trying to grab for a while from a friend of mine. He sold it to me when the rear end decided to go out. So I pulled the diff cover to find that ALL.. yes ALL, of the bolts that hold the ring gear had backed out of the carrier and dropped. The bolts and the threads are perfect as well as the threads in the carrier. The ring gear is not in terrible shape but the pinion gear is heavily worn but I see no visible damage to the carrier. How the hell does this happen? The gasket was sealed and tight, showing no signs of being removed before so I am sure that it hasn't been tampered with. I know my buddy didn't have it looked at. I just find it very odd. Any thoughts?

 

[twomanymontes]

The factory uses threadlocker on the ring gear bolts. Why they backed out, I have no idea. But if it was repaired somehwere since 94, someone may not have used threadlocker

 

[DAC_CFH]

I would say this has to have been apart before and either someone didnt set proper back lash or torque everything accordingly Or they didnt use new loc tite on the threads

Either way sounds like you are into either a rebuild or replacement.. Ide rebuild it myself!

 

[98slv]

I have personally dealt with this before. Couldn't tell you why it happened but mine did the same thing, only I had half of them broke off into the gear and the other half were loose or completely backed out. Didn't mess anything up, rather than my pocket book from buying new bolts, but I checked my backlash then just retorqued all then new bolts back to spec and buttoned it up. Been running for two years with no issues...


Bit of history: My rear-end was rebuilt four years prior to this happening. New Richmond R&P, an Eaton locker, and new bolts.

this is a picture of mine after I took the cover off.

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