Alright, Here's my problem. I have a gsl rear end (83 1/2 big axle) and the right side axle has the bolt holes stripped out. Luckily, I still have my 85 GS's old rear end, also big axle, but it looks like there is no way to swap the drum backing plate for the disc one as it looks like it's kinda barricaded on there in every way.

How have you guys gone about solving this? I was thinking cut a slit in the disc one so I can slide the new axle into the plate but I'm not sure what would be a good thing to do. What do you think?

 

Order some press in lug studs for a 01+ camaro.
Grab your trusty 1/2in drill and ream the lug bolt holes.
Install press in studs, and wonder why you ever used lug bolts.

Isaac

 

Thank you. That's a genius idea and it'll save me a ton of time!

 

Do you have to press them in or can you just bolt up the wheel to make them bite in?

 

I used a lug nut to pull them through, didn't want to use my expensive wheels I also lightly tack welded them on the back just for extra security. I meant to make a write-up, but haven't got to it yet.

 

Place the stud in the hole, find a nut or two that will slide over it, then use an impact to slowly draw the stud in. Make sure the stud is perpendicular to the axle end plate. I've found this to be easier and quicker than using a press.

 

Yep, pull them thru with a lug nut and air gun. Just dont re-use the lug nut on the car, use a spare one. They tend to gall up the threads using them in this way.

On a side note, you must pull the bearings off the axles in order to swap the backing plates.

-billy

 

Wow. That was a lot more difficult than i thought. I started off using a 1/2" bit and that worked for one hole, then stopped working. i got another newer better bit and tried but that didn't help. I ended up just going around in circles with a 3/8" bit till the hole was big enough. Did you use some kind of insane 1/2"? It took me like 2 hours to do one wheel and lots of swearing.

 

I had a drum axle swapped into my GSL at a shop after smacking a curb hard. It can be done, but I wasn't there to see them do it.

 

Buy better bits and use a cutting oil. I doubt your holes are even close to true, you may need to do more than tack weld the studs in.

 

A decent bit goes a long way toward happiness, mine were a piece of cake using a HSS 1/2 bit. I honestly don't think i spent more than 30sec per hole.

Isaac

e.t.a. If you loosen the backing plate and rotate it a few degrees there is a lot more clearance to get the studs in from the back.

 

The holes are fine surprisingly, the studs are in there TIGHT, and they lined up nicely.

 

Concerning your questions about getting the backing plate off the axle assembly, you're going to have to find a shop with a hydraulic press to remove the bearing and the ring ahead of it. They're pressed on to the axle and it's almost impossible to get them off yourself.

 

if one hole stripped, why not just re-tap that hole and save a ton of time?

 

In my experience, when they strip they tend to take all the threads out of the hole, and there's nothing left to re-tap. You could tap to the next size up, but that means one oddball lug bolt, for the time, cost, and pita factors it is easier to just go with press-ins.