spider gears

[GAEAGLE]

I have an 86 wagon with a 2.35 ratio. what options do i have for new spider( side gears) gears? I have a lot of slop or play that is not the ring and pinion.

[carnuck]

Front or rear?

[GAEAGLE]

rear

[PR1AWRet]

There is supposed to be some backlash in the spiders.  Here is a vid showing how to do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0NsMzdFcZg

[GAEAGLE]

Thanks for the info. Looks like I need to learn more about differentials. Will the side/spider gears from a jeep Cherokee d35 fit in my amc15? 

[PR1AWRet]

I haven't tried, but the differential cases are the same, so they should fit.

If you have that much play/backlash in the spider gears, you need to check the cross shaft and the case for wear. If there is that much wear, you have 250K on it and the oil has never been changed, lack of oil, water and/or dirt in the oil or excessive abuse.

[carnuck]

You need them to be from pre '91 (non-C clip) diffs.

[GAEAGLE]

Thanks for all the info. I thought my ring and pinion were bad but when the cover came off they were like brand new but the pinion rod(?) and gears had mucho slop. I'd love to update the rearend but then you get into all the front matching mess. I may end up with a lifted 2wd concord cloaked as an eagle. Thanks again for all the info.

[PR1AWRet]

You could replace the spider gears and cross shaft with a LockRite locker and new shaft if the hole in the differential case aren't wallowed out. Something like this.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/16104_001.htm''

There are also the spider kits available for the non-c clip axle.  They are more expensive than the newer D35's (shrug) and usually out of stock from the few places I've looked.

http://www.ringpinion.com/b2c/ProductDetails.aspx?ProdID=7839&Product=YPKM35-S-27-1.6&Brand=Yukon_Gear_and_Axle&ShowAA=True&Year=&Model=&DriveType=&DiffId=&Source=DiffWizard

[GAEAGLE]

Looked at Yukon site but missed that page. Not a bad price if in stock. I'm afraid the hole is messed up because the pin was moving some also. Guess I need to open her up again and do a better look see.

[carnuck]

Sounds like you need to do a carrier swap.

[GAEAGLE]

yup.