Sad Discovery: GM 10 Bolt Fails

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Dleslie212

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Phoenix
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Dustin
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1977
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K10
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5.7L 350
Thanks @Blue Ox and @Buck69 , I appreciate your thoughts on the matter. I have had three different friends give me three different pieces of advice so far. I would like this rear end to last a while Longer in the future and whatever work I do will hopefully help that possibility.
I don’t plan to wheel this truck super hard, but I do like the idea of added durability for whatever comes my way. As with everything else when he doesn’t grow on trees, and we have a pretty tight budget around the farm here at the moment.
FWIW, I completely rebuild my 12 bolt a few years back, only reused the housing itself. It took me a long long time. Probably a month, and at least 20 attempts of putting together and taking it back apart to try to get the backlash and preload right. It cost a bit of money as well, by the time all the parts and tools were purchased.

Where in AZ are you?
 

Buck69

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John
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D30 CUCV
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6.2 (removed)
That's why many of those trucks had a extra load sensing proportioning valve linked to the rear axle. They're not available anymore, but if you can't find a serviceable used one you could probably add a manual adjustable valve for when you're running unloaded.
Honestly don't remember it all. Don't believe that valve was in that truck and it was only a year and a half old when I grabbed it.
I do remember the shoes were larger in diameter but a fair bit narrower with the replacement axel. A lot more grab than it was meant to have leaving the factory.
Anyway, thrashing on these trucks as a young punk taught me lots with the wrenches. Miss them days and maybe has a bit to do with me getting back into them.
 

AZ Highlander

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FWIW, I completely rebuild my 12 bolt a few years back, only reused the housing itself. It took me a long long time. Probably a month, and at least 20 attempts of putting together and taking it back apart to try to get the backlash and preload right. It cost a bit of money as well, by the time all the parts and tools were purchased.

Where in AZ are you?
Prescott, AZ
 

AuroraGirl

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Taylor
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1978, 1980
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K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
That's why many of those trucks had a extra load sensing proportioning valve linked to the rear axle. They're not available anymore, but if you can't find a serviceable used one you could probably add a manual adjustable valve for when you're running unloaded.
the one reason ABS really helps in modern trucks is the ability to have DRP for the rear brakes!
 

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