Axle woes have returned...need a lifespan estimate.

Jon R. Pickens · 2006-07-12T19:53:17+00:00

Yes, I know... Damn it...So, on the 3rd of July, around 8:30pm, I was on the interstate and hita very steep, nearly mile-long grade. Maintaining speed is difficultso I dropped to 3rd gear. As I peaked the hill I started to hear afunny noise. As soon as I shifted back to OD and lowered engine RPMs(reducing load on the axle) it started whining like crazy.It sounded like that scene in 'Memphis Belle' where they go into a diveto put out an engine fire.I made it another 65 miles...yeah, I know, stupid... however I couldtell by the noise that nothing I could do was going to rescue the diffat that point.Anyhow, it couldn't be examined by a shop till the 5th, by which pointI needed to be back on the road to get back to Atlanta (200 milesaway). I ended up catching a cheap flight home, as I had to work thenext day.The guys at Pep Boys cracked open the diff and said it had blown apinion seal and run dry. That makes some sense, as going up that steepgrade for an extended period of time allowed the remaining fluid todrain away from the pinion and kill the bearing.So, the K5 is still in Tennessee. I need to get it down here ASAP.Provided that it stays topped off with fluid (it's been drained andrefilled) can anyone guess as to how long it will last? Getting itabove 60mph is not really feasible, but if I keep it at or below thatspeed the noise is managable. I'm not currently in a position to haveit repaired up in Tennessee.If I take it easy and watch the fluid level, do you think I could makeit back without total failure of the rear axle?Worst part is, the axle was rebuilt about 8 or 9 months ago. It's nolonger under warranty. It sat for almost 6 of those months after theengine fire and tranny problems. I'm out $750 for the rebuild...And the K5 saga continues...~jp

Jul 12, 2006 24 Replies

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SnoMan 20 years ago

Around 125 to 150 ft lbs or so. Recheck them after you drive it once and the seat some.

----------------- The SnoMan

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Shades 20 years ago

Oh...Must of missed that...

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David Johnson 20 years ago

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Mike Dobony 20 years ago

Is your truck a 3/4 ton? If so, the 10 bolt is a waste of money! As I recall, the 3/4 and 1 ton are 8 bolt wheels and 1/2 ton are 6 bolt.

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Jon R. Pickens 19 years ago

1/2 ton... to my knowledge all K5 Blazers came with 1/2 ton suspension and axles.

The bad news is, I'm getting a car... :-(

The good news is, I'm getting a smaller, more fuel efficient, nicer car to drive daily :-)

This means the K5 is going off the road for a while. And since I won't have to depend on it for transportation, I'm going to go ahead and start building it the way I wanted to--with a 14 bolt rear, 8 lug wheels (converting the front axle to 8-lug hubs), 4-6" of lift, bigger tires, etc...

And I'm going to do the cam swap myself. I'll take my time.

~jp

Mike Dob> Is your truck a 3/4 ton? If so, the 10 bolt is a waste of money! As I

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