Ok, here's the problem:
I have an '85 GSL 12A with limited slip differential. (All GSL and SE's had this). One of the threaded holes for the lug bolts is stripped so that there's only three bolts holding the wheel on. With a 4-bolt pattern this does NOT give me a very warm, fuzzy feeling.
I'm thinking of heli-coiling the hole, but I'm not confident that this would be an effective long-term solution.
The other option is to replace the left axle with a good used one.
Has anybody on here done this? Are the lsd units using the same axle shafts as the non-lsd one? Is there anything I should know regarding lining things back up on re-assembly or is it a simple slide in/ slide out affair? (Not to be confused with the "other" type of slide in/ slide out affair, which my wife and I are intimately familiar with). Also, are there any differences between axle shafts that came with drum brake set-ups vs. rear disc units?
Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,

Brett.

 

First you can't just slide out your LSD axle shaft and slide in a drum axle shaft. The plate that bolts to axle housing to keep the shaft from coming out is 3 hole plate on disk brake and 4 hole plate on drum units. Also the drum axle shaft have a large backing plate to mount the shoe, springs and wheel cylinder.

I believe the axle shafts them self to be the same diameter (84-85 non SE) and same length between the disk and drum.
Meaning you take the axle shafts down to a shop and have them remove the axle bearing and swap all the hardware from the disc rear axle shaft to the drum axle shaft. I highly recommend that you press on new axle bearing, and use a new grease seal when re-installing.

BTW its a wheel, I would not helicoil or drive around on 3 bolts.

John

 

You know this is the perfect time for you to do the switch from lug bolts to lug nuts. i've never really
had that safe feeling about how maybe at least 3 threads are holding on the wheels.

 

If the female thread is stripped, how will switching to lug nuts help. You need something to thread the stud into otherwise it will just pull out when you torque down your nuts.


John

 

Thanks for the info. I knew that the shaft had to be secured by bolts or other means, but my concern was with inserting the toothed end back into the diff without screwing up the alignment of the gears. Also, I now know not to buy one from a car with drums.
It probably doesn't make sense to replace the bearings and seals on one side but not the other, and unless this is a simple enough procedure that it can be done using basic hand tools it might be better for me to just replace the entire rear end assembly myself with a good used one rather than pay a shop to replace on shaft.
Anyway, thanks again,

Brett.

 

I guess i should have made it clearer. Studs, lug nuts.
easy to do. just like an -SE