How to open up rear-end?
 

It's been 6 months and I still drive/smash on my car with one tire spinning. I want to open up my rear-end and possible replace a grinded axle or bad diff. But it's a described to be very difficult, why? And can anyone walk me through a differential fluid change for my 99 Camaro.

I cannot walk you through a diff / carrier swap, there are too many small things that can be done incorrectly to accurately describe it to you online.

As per draining the fluid, thats quite easy. To drain the fluid, just loosen most of the bolts on the diff cover and break the seal and let the fluid drain out (if you want a semi-easier way, you can just use a suction gun to take all of the fluid out through the filler hole at the top instead). Take off the cover and remove the silicone to create a clean seal when you reapply. After you reseal the cover and let it dry well, open up the filler plug at the top of the pumpkin and add your fluid. (Dont forget to add posi addititve)

phate looks like he summed this one up.

That sounds nice, so while changing my fluid I can also check to see whats the real problem. Now, with instructions and a couple friends like me with some good mechanical knowledge, is it favorable to swap diffs?

Honestly?

Most definately not. If you get angles, splines, side carrier shims, u-joint tightness, or anything else the slightest bit incorrect... you can do one of many things. One, burn up an axle. Two, tear up your carrier. Three, tear up your u-joint/driveshaft. Four, ruin your gears.

Pay the money to have an experienced professional do the install.

Damn it, well atleast this weekend I'll open it up.

expect to spend around $700 to have a shop do a carrier swap. With the GM rear-ends there is quite a bit of labor to set them up.

Just another reason there's a 9" under my car now. I'm not usually a ford fan, but they do make a strong rear-end.

and you don't have to worry about an axle passing you by when a c clip breaks

Seen that one happen in person lol.

I wouldn't try doing anything you have no idea on how to do.

Thats where things can go very wrong.

Lets say you take it apart , then when your putting it togethor you can figure out how it went.

All i can say is find tutorials about it and make sure you take lots of pictures because then you will know what went where and such.

Good luck