i'm just just joining this site and glad i found it. i own a 2001 silverado reg cab/ short bed with 4.8 v8 and auto transmission. i believe the rear ...

i'm just just joining this site and glad i found it. i own a 2001 silverado reg cab/ short bed with 4.8 v8 and auto transmission. i believe the rear end just cramped out on me, and hoping it's not the transmission. (when put it gear, the driveshaft turns but the trunk doesnt move). i had my wife put in drive/ reverse while i watched the driveshaft spin respectively.

* so my question is... can i replace my rear end (axle to axle) with one from a 2003 silverado 1500 ? this one had a 5.3 v8 so the gearing should be similar right? need info ASAP. pollen collecting on my chevy.

Should bolt right in. It sounds like your spider gears broke. If you do not have the G80 locker option replacing them would be pretty easy. There are no special tools needed if you are only replacing the spider gears.

I believe u were correct about the spider gears. I took some pics and metal shavings were everywhere. How do I remove these spider gears? Can I replace with used junkyard gears or is it better to buy new ones all the time?

Post the pictures. You can remove them by taking the small bolt out that holds the pin in the carrirer, remove that pin, then push both axles out about 3"-4" (the rear tires have to be off the ground). You should be able to maneuver the gears out through the hole in the carrier. The side gears (the ones the pin went through) usually have shimms behind them. I would use new gears, however, you can use junk yard parts for those if you are limited on funds.

i'm adding 4 pics of the damage i found. however, i'm not seeing the 'little' bolt or pin thing i need to remove in order to remove the 'big' pin that has the spider gears on them. can this job be done with the truck up on jack stands? or do i need to remove rear axle from the truck?

It can be done on jack stands. Your spider gears are definatly toast. Raise the rear end on the stands and put the truck in neutral. You can then spin the ring gear around and check it for damage (if it's not damaged you can continue with the repair. It is probably not damaged) As you spin the ring gear you should see the small bolt that holds the pin in. remove the pin bolt, then the pin. Next, push the rear wheels inward a bit to remove the "C" clips from the axle ends (inside the carrier) (on your truck you will have to take the tires off and remove the brake caliper and caliper bracket. You do not have to remove the caliper hose, just hang it off to the side with a coat hanger).You can then go to each wheel and pull them out a few inches You can then remove the spider gears. Clean the housing out good with brake cleaner spray and a magnet. Reverse the steps to put it back together.

thanks for all the info thus far, but i have another question. i'm not find these spider gears online at the cart parts stores ect.. also no luck at my local pull a parts for my year truck. however...

* for using used spider gears... what year trucks and/or suv's can i pull spider gears from at a junk yard?

Is yours 2wd or 4wd?

2wheel

I think this is what you need, but you should call them to verify before ordering: http://www.accuautoparts.com/axledetail ... C:GM8.6BIL