Rear Axle/Suspension Overhaul For my 92 CW

Replacing my entire axle this week, due to it being completely trashed. The dirty details:

Axle: 6YM Axle from 1993 RMW; 3.23, Posi, GU5/G80

Shocks: Koni # 80401088 Adjustable

Springs: Moog # CC623

Sway Bar Details:

Sway Bar: Ford YW7Z-5A772-CA (Crown Victoria Rear Bar)

End Links: Energy Suspension 9.8125 ENS-9-8125R

Bushings: Energy Suspension 9.5157 ENS-9-5157G

3” exhaust clamps: Summit SUM-G4730 SUM-G4730

Driveshaft Details:

Shaft: OEM Chevrolet SSR Manual transmission 4.5" Aluminum Driveshaft

Pinion Yoke: Forged 1350 Yoke for use with SSR shaft's rear 1350 U-joint

Front U-Joint: Moog # 234 1344/3R solid/non-greaseable

Rear U-joint: Moog # 231 1350 solid/non-greaseable

Going to have to wait on doing a matching front end. I should do both at the same time, but the only reason this much is getting done is because of the axle needing to come down. With the axle being roached, I don't plan on trusting anything else back there, at this point.

I'll be posting results of this build later this week. SHould be one bitchin' rear when it's done.

Love having a wagon.



Glad I have the new springs coming in, because this wagon did one hell of a squat when the axle was rested in the back. She already looks an inch or two lower than most wagons, and lost maybe another 3 when the weight came down. Yikes. Still drives nice, though.

Wagons.

are you rebuilding the new axle ?

No, I'm just yanking the axles and replacing the seals/bearings, and definitely replacing the cover gasket with the correct one. This axle, like many others from GM, included the wrong gasket that does now allow the gear oil to flow out to the axle bearings.

Surprisingly, despite clearly never having been cracked before, the magnet contained very little material. After blasting off the innards with brake cleaner, this is what we have here:

I've got the tow-package 2.93 rear in my '96 Roady, and it "pops" when making a tight turn. Planning to change the fluid soon.

Curious, I had the 3.23 in my TBI Custom Cruiser. Do you (or anyone here) know if the TBI rear is a direct-swap for the LT1 cars? I can buy a rear axle super-cheap at Wrench-A-Part or Pick-N-Pull...wonder how much of a difference going to the 3.23 would make on an LT1. A lot more power or just worse mileage?

Wasn't the 3.23 the gearing the Impala SS's used?

-Mike

the impala ss did not come with 323 gearing. the tbi rear is a bolt in with the lt1 they are identical. i had a 323 out of a olds, in my lt1 wagon replacing the 256. what a difference it really woke up the wagon. i thought the 323 was a great all round gear in the wagon

The LT1 cars require reprogramming for the 3.23, but it would make the car a rocket in comparison to the 2.93s. The gas mileage on the highway will be a little lower, but around town (if you can keep your foot out of it a little) will be about the same. The 3.23 makes you want to push the loud pedal a bit more, and that will change your gas mileage more than the ratio itself. The only issue you need to be careful of is an original posi. They are usually better in a wagon than a sedan of the same mileage. I took one out of a 135K wagon, and it was fine. Mine with 273K on it still works fine. If it goes, I am going to replace it with a really good one.


If you are swapping to a 3.23 rear in a TBI car, you need the green 42 tooth driven gear to correct your speedometer. The wrong VSS gear may also affect the computer control of the engine to some extent.

I'll just put it to you this way, from having has the 3.23 gears from day one: I have always felt that this car moved ALOT better than anything with it's weight and horsepower rating should. Did not make any sense to me. I can't wait to see how she feels with all of the new components.

Aw man I want that driveshaft.

Find me another one! lol

I'll do my best.

i went from 256's to 323's in one of the 1a2's i had,. the fuel mileage got better,.the motor doesn't work so hard to move the car,..256's to 373's in the black wagon,. it got better fuel mileage too,.

If you live kansas,. the the 256's might get better mileage,.untill the wind starting blowing hard,.