The Stupid Axle Questions Thread

[Rocket Surgeon]

Some good info.
I do need to read about the front brake swap more...
And I need to tear into an axle. I should tear apart one on the way to the crusher just to study it.
I know of the NBS master cylinder swap, but did not think of including it here. But I also seen disc brake swaps without any other modification. Neighbor has a 2wd 96 2500 suburban with same 3.73 14 bolt FF, he had a disc brake conversion done that uses calipers sourced from a Toronado?

Also I understand that 2wd and 4wd gmt 400 14 bolt ff are a different width. Seems like i read the axle housing is the same, but an adapter that holds the drum is a different thickness???

 

[Schurkey]

Neighbor has a 2wd 96 2500 suburban with same 3.73 14 bolt FF, he had a disc brake conversion done that uses calipers sourced from a Toronado?

Ooooof. Probably the same caliper as the ElDorado. Maybe has weaker rear brakes than stock. But that will depend on rotor diameter, among other things.

 

[Erik the Awful]

I know of the NBS master cylinder swap, but did not think of including it here.

The NBS master cylinder is not a good swap. Some guys like the firmer brake feel, but a couple of guys have reported nearly having accidents because they can't get enough brake pressure. If you swap one in, don't skip leg day.

 

[scott2093]

The NBS master cylinder is not a good swap. Some guys like the firmer brake feel, but a couple of guys have reported nearly having accidents because they can't get enough brake pressure. If you swap one in, don't skip leg day.

I was one who was lead into this swap. Been on for about a year, maybe 2. TBH, never felt enough of a difference to be able to justify it and am going to swap back to the one meant for my setup.
Just did my shot rear brakes and drums.... Brakes feel incredible now. Should have done that instead of chasing the feel with the NBS swap. Maybe could have saved my drums.....

 

[twebuh]

Glove Box codes..

GQ1 -- AXLE REAR, STD RATIO
GT4 -- AXLE REAR, 3.73 RATIO
GT5 -- AXLE REAR, 4.10 RATIO
GU4 -- AXLE REAR, 3.08 RATIO
GU5 -- AXLE REAR, 3.23 RATIO
GU6 -- AXLE REAR, 3.42 RATIO
G80 -- AXLE REAR, LIMITED SLIP (POSITRACTION)

HC4 -- AXLE REAR, 4.56 RATIO

What trucks came with the 4.56? I’m looking into doing 4.56 in my 3/4 ton 14bolt 9.5. It’s around 2 grand for a whole axle assembled with locker. Didn’t know any came with it stock. Was it duallys or somethin?

 

[93chevyluvr]

Found this great vid on how locking axles work. Good content

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[someotherguy]

Also I understand that 2wd and 4wd gmt 400 14 bolt ff are a different width. Seems like i read the axle housing is the same, but an adapter that holds the drum is a different thickness???

Dunno about the 14 bolt FF's, but in general, GMT400 2WD and 4WD axles are different widths, the 4WD being about 4" wider. In the lighter axles - 10 bolt and 14 bolt SF, the housing itself is wider. I would assume the same in the 14 FF.

Richard

 

[Rocket Surgeon]

Dunno about the 14 bolt FF's, but in general, GMT400 2WD and 4WD axles are different widths, the 4WD being about 4" wider. In the lighter axles - 10 bolt and 14 bolt SF, the housing itself is wider. I would assume the same in the 14 FF.

Richard

found it:
regarding 14 bolt full float

• Comes in two widths - 63" and 67" wms-wms, easily converted from one to the other (that axle shafts are common to both, it is the different hubs that account for the different widths, and these are easily interchanged).

from http://www.billavista.com/tech/Articles/14-Bolt_Bible/index.html

alot more good info in there as well!


I picked up three axles from a barn that a guy gave me. All have issues, but they appear to be 11.5 ring gear 14 bolt full floaters from 01-06 duramax diesels. They are stored for now.

 

[Schurkey]

I don't know nothin' about 10.5" axles in 2WD. I know that there's so little clearance between the drum backing plate and the leaf springs that two inches less clearance would be unworkable unless the 2WD also have narrower spacing between the leaf spring packs, which would then require narrower spacing on the spring pads welded to the axle tubes.