This doesn&#039;t look good

Free Member

Cramerton, NC - USA

Joined: 8/22/2006

Posts: 1094

Vette(s): black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion

I was under the rear of my 82 yesterday just poking around to see what I could see. I found a greasy mess on the side of the battery compartment, on the floor pan over the rear universal on the driveshaft (propeller shaft) and on the side of the rear compartment (all underneath). The universal itself isn't greasy but there isn't anywhere else the grease could have come from. I can barely see the universal joint tucked into its recess and can't imagine what its going to take to replace it. I think this one is beyond my megar mechanic abilities. It's always something !!!!!!!!!

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This doesn't look good

Posted: 6/17/07 2:59pmMessage 2 of 11

Okie Dude

Lifetime Member

Eastern Oklahoma County, OK - USA

Joined: 1/3/2006

Posts: 1560

Vette(s): 1980 Black L48 T-Tops

Crossfire, if you have a buddy with a lift, it's relatively easy, especially if you have about 15 feet of extensions and swivels for your rachet Rolling%20On%20The%20Floor%20Laughing

I had to change mine out last year after it (rear U-joint) sheared and destroyed the rear input shaft, battery box, and other pieces. It also helps to have two of you under the car so one can use a light and help guide the wrench onto the bolt while the other snakes it in.

You will need a 12-point socket for the 4 bolts on the bracket holding the u-joint in. It should be the same as the front, although mine weren't. I can't remember what it was but I think it was a 10mm or there abouts.

A really long screwdriver also helps for popping the u-joint out of it's holder.

Good Luck!

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Posted: 6/17/07 6:13pmMessage 3 of 11

Free Member

Cramerton, NC - USA

Joined: 8/22/2006

Posts: 1094

Vette(s): black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion

Thanks Dennis, I may get my nerve up and try it... going to have to look at this one again.

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Posted: 6/17/07 6:20pmMessage 4 of 11

Adams' Apple

Lifetime Member
Moderator

Duncanville, TX - USA

Joined: 11/8/2003

Posts: 22720

Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Make sure it isn't the front diff seal leaking...it will sling fluid in the same areas.
Usually, if the u-joint is slinging grease, it's because someone pumped too much in it while servicing. Of course, if your's doesn't have grease zerks, then that wouldn't be the case!

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

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Posted: 6/18/07 6:35amMessage 5 of 11

Okie Dude

Lifetime Member

Eastern Oklahoma County, OK - USA

Joined: 1/3/2006

Posts: 1560

Vette(s): 1980 Black L48 T-Tops

The front seal on the pumpkin is easy (relatively speaking) to fix as well. Ya just have to be patient (something I'm not) and have some kinda hookie thingie (technical term) to pull the old one out. Putting the new one in is easy if you have a really big socket that goes to the outside of the seal. use the socket and an extension and hit it with a hammer to seat it.

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Posted: 6/18/07 7:27amMessage 6 of 11

Free Member

Cramerton, NC - USA

Joined: 8/22/2006

Posts: 1094

Vette(s): black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion

Thanks Joel, after looking again, I think its going to be the seal and not the universal. Dennis, Im looking in my tool box for one of the hookie thingies, I know there is one in there somewhere

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Posted: 6/18/07 12:21pmMessage 7 of 11

aceinthehole

Former Member

Manteca, CA - USA

Joined: 11/20/2005

Posts: 3623

Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed

I always keep mine in the bottom of my tool box (75#er) with all the other whatchamucallits. Always know where to find it . aceinthehole2007-06-18 12:22:28

Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

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Posted: 6/18/07 3:35pmMessage 8 of 11

Free Member

Cramerton, NC - USA

Joined: 8/22/2006

Posts: 1094

Vette(s): black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion

Dennis, does your 80 have the aluminum "batwing" differential. Mine has a front connector brace cast as part of the differential. I can see the yoke coming out of the differential but for the life of me figure out how to get to it without dropping the exhuast system and crossmember the front connector brace bolts to. It looks like the 79 and older cars had the front connector brace to the differential bolted to the differential, unbolting them would give good access to the yoke. Any advise for this intrepid mechanic??

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Posted: 6/29/07 11:59pmMessage 9 of 11

deeboy59

Free Member

visalia, CA - USA

Joined: 10/27/2006

Posts: 641

Vette(s): 1981 red with silver interior,350(L-81), 350TH, glass t-tops, aluminium rims, 1980 Black/ Black int., 350 GM crate engine/350TH, 1976 black/ saddle int., L-82 w/headers, holly carb, Hypertech ignition

starting with '80, GM changed the diffs just as you said. That bracket that bolted onto the older cars was now cast into or part of the diff. housing itself. Thats why 1980-82 are listed differently then the rest in catiloges, etc.. What worked the best for me was, 1st- get the rearend off the ground. enough so to be able to both spin wheels/ shaft freely, and have room to work. I made full lenght ramps that I drive up on that gets the car off the ground, front and back, enough to work under it using a creeper. 2nd, I use 1/4" drive, 12pt., socket w/ long extention. I don't think I had to use a univeral, but I'd have one handy just in case. I was able to undo one side of the U-joint, then rotate 180 degrees and undo the other side. once undone, slide shaft forward, clear rear flange and pull back out of tranny, remove shaft. And I didnt have to drop the exhaust get it out, but thats on an '81... yours may be different. Hope thats of some help. Jimmy (aceinthehole) I know has done a lot of work on one of his (vettes) in that area.

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This doesn't look good

Posted: 7/1/07 6:52pmMessage 10 of 11

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