1991Z28

Please Help!!! I've got a '91 Z28 w/ a 350/auto. When I bought the car (about 120K), the rearend had been replaced with 3.73 posi. Last spring (almost a year ago exactly) I had to replace the gears--sheared two teeth off the pinion. I used Richmond 3.73s, the same as I pulled out of it, and replaced all bearings and had a shop do the labor. A couple weeks ago I pulled up next to a riced out Eclipse while we were doing about 40 mph and downshifted into 2nd...couldn't resist. Since then, my rearend has been making some clanking type noises. I still haven't found a pattern of when they occur, but they've got me too worried. Now, I have two questions for you all:

1) How do you know if the pinion nut is tight enough? How tight should it be? I think I read somewhere that there's supposed to be a certain torque reading (on a torque wrench) from the drag...Is this true and what is it?

2) I was looking at getting a rear end girdle. Is there a brand or type that's superior? What would you all recommend? How tight do the studs need to be adjusted against the bearing caps?

Any other thoughts or suggestions?
Like I said, please help. I really can't afford to have to rebuild it again....I'm just a poor college student Thanks in advance.

88 427 Camaro

1) Yes, you set the pinion by the drag torque, but the rear must be apart to do this. It should be around 10-15 inlbs.

2) A girdle will always help as it helps reduce case deflection, which in turn keeps backlash closer to where it should be under acceleration. Instructions should be included in the kit.

Sounds like you might have lost some gear teeth again.

Miles

1991Z28

I was looking at the girdles from Summit. Would I need the heavy duty one (PN: SME-8510400) or is the regular one enough (PN: SUM-730755). The heavy duty won't work with metric cover bolts...Would I have metric cover bolts on there--cant remember. I'm looking to order tomorrow morning, so immediate responses appreciated.