rebuild 14bff and 10b?

[NorrisK20]

Building up a 1970 chevy, I have a 14bff for the rear and a 10 bolt for the front.

I took off both covers and they look good (as in the ring and pinion), and both have matching ratios

Should I rebuild them? I do not want to get in to deep with a complete rebuild as the cost obviously goes up.

But should I replace bearings/seals etc? or is there a way I should check to see if they need rebuilding?

[BrianDguy]

Since you have them drained, you may as well do the seals, but if they didn't leak or show sign of leaking, then it may not be necessary. If it were me, I would just do them now and inspect all the bearings for excessive wear.

[NorrisK20]

Ya they weren't leaking at all, so I'll probably do that

I know I can search for them but since I am posting here already do you know of any kits, or places that have good/ decently priced kits for all the seals and what not?

[sjracer]

that should be a dana 44 front if it's stock to the '70 year truck.

[NorrisK20]

It wasn't stock to the truck.

got it from a project my brother picked up that he no longer is using.

[sjracer]

front: if it doesn't show any sign of leakage from the front diff then i would just change the front gasket and run it. inspect the gears, turn the pinion by hand, if it feels good it's probably good to go. it's a front diff, and unless your using it all the time in 4x4 then it's not gonna see that much use. re-pack the wheel bearings and change the seals at the knuckle only, changing the actual axle seals in the front diff is difficult at best. put new brakes on it if needed. check the ball joints, change or have them changed if needed while the axle is out and easy to work on. keep in mind, it's a 10 bolt. they arent worth that much and arent that strong anyway. good for just general usage, but any real action will require a stronger diff. really, no bigger than 33's and they should be ok. 35's are pushing it.

rear diff: same sort of treatment. new brakes, you wont have to pack the wheel bearings if it's a full floater, but replace the hub axle seals anyway and check the condition of the hub bearings. hopefully it has the full real 3/4 ton brakes-13x 3-1/2", not the undersized 1/ ton brakes- 12x2". if it has the small brakes you may want to consider the larger brakes or converting it to disk. also, consider a traction aid such as a detroit locker in the 14bff, this axle can handle it. also, look into shaving the bottom of the diff, it will help this big boy with ground clearance, especially with smaller tires.

[NorrisK20]

Thanks!! great info and tons of help