cuban

Bought a Z06 rear dif and new gasket set along with clutch pack from Texas drivetrain just wondering if I can do the clutch pack replacement on my own or do I need to send it to a shop. Diff is out on my bench already and in the midst of cam swap then moving to drop trans for a stall and diff swap. Not much for write ups so just seeing what I’m up against. Thanks

MetalMan2

Many of us have replaced clutch packs "DIY" style. Couple specialty tools you might need, or something similar:

• hydraulic press for compressing the Belleville springs (mine is Harbor Freight 12 ton)
• U-shaped tool to assist with compressing the springs
  • Kent Moore J-42162 side gear compressor tool - I have one I could lend (with a deposit + shipping), though some people have also made their own

jfigus

I'm curious, what are the symptoms of a clutch pack going bad?

MetalMan2

Short answer is it becomes an open diff. So that means uneven power delivery to the rear wheels. For normal driving an open diff is actually better and you won't notice it's open.

You can "test" for an open diff with the following steps:

1. Lift only one of the rear wheels off the ground.
2. Put manual transmission in 1st gear, auto trans should be good in Park.
3. Try spinning the lifted wheel. If it spins freely then the LSD is worn out and/or springs are toast. If it takes 50+ ft-lbs (applied to a lug nut) then the clutch pack is good. Less than that and ideally you might consider new clutch packs/springs.

jfigus

When replacing the clutch pack will you have to set the end play/backlash when reassembling? That seems like something that would be easy for a noob like myself to botch.

MetalMan2

No, servicing LSD doesn't affect end play.

Supercharged111

Seeing how the Belleville washers love to crack OP would be a fool not to open it up and inspect. Here was my solution for the aforementioned U shaped tool to use in the press.

spfautsch

Having a friend that owns an exhaust shop, I found a short section of 1-3/4 exhaust pipe did the trick for cheap (short section in center of pic).

full res here

Definitely worth looking at while the diff is out. Mine wasn't making any noise or slipping but both belleville springs had chunks missing from them.

full res here