I have an '85 chevy C-20 3/4 ton, 8600 GVW w/ 6.2 diesel & 3 speed turbo 400 auto trans, 2wd. The best I can find on identifying the rear is that it's a "GM-9" 14 bolt with the odd gasket pattern. I've never fooled with a limited slip diff and can't seem to find any info on this particular one so I hope someone here can help or at least point me in the right direction.
The problem is gearing, OEM set-up is a camper package with 4.10 ring & pinion ratio. Works great for pulling but trying to run at highway speeds above 50 Mph has the 6.2 screaming which scares the heck outta me. If I did the math right, changing the R&P to a 3.42 ratio should give me 10 Mph difference which would let me run at more reasonable engine rpm's over the road. I don't need to be quick off the line, it's my small welding service truck and just needs to get me there.
There's the background, now for the questions. All the info I've found says nothing about the wire type lock on the right side (as seen facing cover) that looks like it's holding an adjusting nut/locking ring of sorts with holes around its circumfrence. The wire is held in with a single bolt threaded into the center of the right bearing cap...what is this?
If I remove the diff shaft and allow the diff gears to come out, are the clutch packs and associated items on each axle for the limited slip also going to come falling out when I remove the axle retainer C clips to slide the axles out?
I appreciate any help on this.
Thanks
Mark