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How can I tell if I have the 84/85 14 Bolt?

HawK5

HawK5

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Hey guys, after an exhaustive search I’m having a hard time finding any information on how to know if I have the 84/85 14 bolt. I’m pretty sure I have the 88 and earlier axle as it’s sae lugs and does not have the extra ribbing of the newer models, it’s got a 3.73 open ratio. I have the press on drum brakes and wms width appears to be a SRW. I’m getting ready to re-gear it so I need to make sure I get the right master install kit with correct saddle bearing. Is there anyway to tell what year it is from the outside? It sounds like the 14 bolts don’t have BOM like the Dana axles.. So far the only way I know is to pull the cover and look at the date on the ring but that’s assuming it’s the OE Ring and pinion and the axle has been modified, the perches and shock mounts have been clocked for lifted application, the diff cover is painted.. so I’m not confident in that date anyways. Can you pull the pinion from the front and eyeball it looking in? Or any other ideas? I’ve consulted this forum, google, the 14 bolt bible and a lot of vendor website offering how to identify your axle without any luck.. Thanks!

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I hope it is not an 84/85 I hear the nose bearing is unobtianium for those 2 years. Iirc it is the od of the saddle/nose bearing that is different. You can see it by pulling the Pinion assembly, not sure how easy it would be to measure.
 
Wes Harden said:
I hope it is not an 84/85 I hear the nose bearing is unobtianium for those 2 years. Iirc it is the od of the saddle/nose bearing that is different. You can see it by pulling the Pinion assembly, not sure how easy it would be to measure.
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Can you pull the pinion out by just removing the driveshaft and pulling the 6 bolts? And can I put it back in without having to recheck anything without risking damage? I’m driving it a lot these days and don’t want to have to reset it up only to tear it down again a month later and I don’t want to risk damaging it.
 
Yes, just unbolt those 6 pinion support bolts and don’t disturb anything else. You can pull it for a looky and pop it right back in. You might need to pull the cover to drain the oil and hit the bearing with brake cleaner to make it easily readable.
 
Yes you can. Just don't forget the shim, and maintain it's orientation.

Yes it will loose oil at least 1 quart maybe a little more.
 
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Never heard of this, so GM cheapened it up for 2yrs before redesigning the housing and adding the ribbing? Excellent bean counting.:thinking:
 
Well if the 84 and 85 bearings don’t exist anymore, which I’m reading all over the place, but haven’t myself tried looking yet, then it won’t really matter. If it is that bearing, hopefully it’s in good condition and can just stay there..
 
I just went through the same thing. Real easy. Just pull the cover and take a look, and you can also measure if you want as there's enough room. With the cover off you can easily see the rollers for the larger bearing like in the picture from 76zimmer. You pretty much can't see the rollers on the small bearing. There's a big size difference in the rollers, real obvious.
 
HI truck said:
I just went through the same thing. Real easy. Just pull the cover and take a look, and you can also measure if you want as there's enough room. With the cover off you can easily see the rollers for the larger bearing like in the picture from 76zimmer. You pretty much can't see the rollers on the small bearing. There's a big size difference in the rollers, real obvious.
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When you say pull the cover and take a loook, you mean the front cover+pinion assembly?
 
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