14 bolt ID

[p575]

i've searched, and got nothing. i want a 14 bolt, with the 10.5 inch ring gear, full floater. whats the best way to tell if its FF and/or the 10.5 inch ring? is there an id tag with a code or does the cover have to be pulled or what?

thanks

justin

[NastyGMC]

heres an idiot proof way of IDing a FF axle... there are 8 bolts that hold the axleshaft in. thats an easy way of telling if its the ff model, SF's used C-clips

and heres an entire page about IDing 14 bolts

http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/14bolt.html

[u2slow]

Did you drive out onto the back 40 to take a picture for the post? Talk about enthusiasm!

















p.s. You left the door on your truck open.

[reeser]

14 bolts on the diff cover!

[JJSBADYJ]

Originally Posted by reeser

14 bolts on the diff cover!

Reeser - you would think with over 500 padded posts you would at least know how to read the question and maybe offer up somewhat of a partially intelligent answer, but maybe thats asking a bit much.

14 bolts come in several varieties:

Full Floating - Identified by (8) 3/4inch bolts located in the center of the wheel studs. Usually 8 lug, most 3/4ton and all 1 ton trucks use these <73 - 91 are the years. 3/4 models have a smaller brake drum(width) but all other parts are the same. 10.5" ring gear is usually standard but 11.5" does exist.6 bolts hold the pinion assembly in place. ability to remove the pinion without raising the vehicle or opening the diff. ability to remove the axles without removing the wheels or jacking up the vehicle. Cab and Chassis models are 63"(+/-)wide and all others are 67" wide. Duallys may be a bit wider?

Semi Floating - Identified by the lack of bolts or hub in the center of the wheel studs. Available as either 6 or 8 lug. Usually found on 3/4 ton trucks and heavy 1/2 also. used from <75 - current. 6 lug models are found on later body style trucks (88-current). 9.5" ring gear. unable to remove the pinion without opening the diff. must remove wheels and open diff to remove the c clip holding the axle shaft.

you can count the bolts to get you started but it will be obvious once you get the idea of what they look like. they are not light so be careful when trying to pick one up. the later model semi floaters have a lot of ribbing on them and the spring perch wide is a bit wider than the full floater.

I am open to corrections but this is what I know of the 14 bolt rear axle. Eric M is on here quite a bit and he knows as much if not more than any publication on 14 bolt rear axles, try sending him a PM if you still have questions.

Good Luck,
JJ

[NastyGMC]

Originally Posted by u2slow

Did you drive out onto the back 40 to take a picture for the post? Talk about enthusiasm!

















p.s. You left the door on your truck open.

I live in the country... im almost 50 miles from the nearest wal-mart, 20 miles from the nearest fast food restaraunt.
The truck is our farm pickup, 1980 silverado 1/2 ton. over 400,000 miles on 2 engines and 3 trannys

[rebelchevy02]

Wow, everyone generous today? Theres a huge article in the tech section called 14 bolt bible...... HERE
guess it is close to the holidays.......

[nvrenuf]

I find this...

Originally Posted by p575

i've searched, and got nothing.

... to be the most amazing part of this whole thread. You could not find any info on what could be the most popular rear axle used for upgrades today? You sir, suck at the internet!

[p575]

i read the 14 bolt bible, multiple times, and it doesn't really have any info on how to distinguish the different varieties of the axle. and yeah, a search for 14 bolt brings up many threads, but i couldn't find one that pertained to ID'ing the axle. thanks for the help.

justin

[reeser]

i did read the question, i was just feeling like acting like an idiot!!!!

back to the 'tech'

there should be a big ugly hub sticking out of the middle.

[PartTimeAdult]

Its also identified by the bolt-on pinion, uhm, whatchamacallit...
If you lift it up and pop both nuts, its a 10.5" corp ff

[MOGXJ44]

Originally Posted by PartTimeAdult

If you lift it up and pop both nuts, its a 10.5" corp ff

I think this is the best way, but what do all the chicks do that are getting into the sport?
Travis

[grljeeper]

Originally Posted by MOGXJ44

I think this is the best way, but what do all the chicks do that are getting into the sport?
Travis

I look for the 8 axle bolts, 14 cover bolts , and the removable pinion cage (whatchamacallit), all of which can be seen without picking it up, but then I suppose you tough guys pick'em up and shake them to see if their broke.

[mental-elf]

i'd just like to say that the search button, and this thread just helped me not only ID a 14ff but i was 100% posative that i got what i was buying. when talking to the seller i was told it was a 14 ff, from a 3/4 ton p/u. thats what i wanted to make my install easier. after reading this thread i decided to call and make sure it was a ff by asking if it had the bolts that held the pinion, he said it was so i took the 4 hr round trip drive bought it. the link to the 14 bolt bible really helped alot. thanks guys.

[HAPPYJOHN]

Originally Posted by NastyGMC

heres an idiot proof way of IDing a FF axle... there are 8 bolts that hold the axleshaft in. thats an easy way of telling if its the ff model, SF's used C-clips

and heres an entire page about IDing 14 bolts

http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/14bolt.html

Two questions, 1; How hard did you hit the brakes?,
and 2; where did the rest of the truck land?