The 12 bolt rearend in my old 68 Camaro needs rebuilt (long story, ring gear got tore up). I bought a carrier super cheap about 10 years ago at a swap meet. I got it mainly because it had a good 3.55 ring and pinion gear set, plus it was an Eaton posi carrier. The center pin was messed up and the guy told me he could not get it out. I tossed the carrier into the shed with the thought of someday using it to rebuild the Camaro 12 bolt.

Fast forward to the present. That guy wasn't kidding, I tried and tried, but can't get that pin to budge. It's all beat to heck. Don't know if they tried to cut it off with a torch or if the damage was from something letting go, but the pin is now essentially welded to the spider gear. The posi springs were missing already, but I thought maybe I could salvage the posi plates, but no dice, one is toast.

My question is this: Is there anyway to get the pin out or should I pull the ring gear off and toss the carrier?

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/batboybain/vehicles/Camaro/12+bolt+carrier-resized.jpg

if you got the pin out that far butt as i see it the pin is shot replace the pin carrier and spider gears it is shot

My suggestion would be to try a good cut off wheel close to carrier and then drive pin other way to center and pull out. I use a air dremell with a cut off wheel attached to get the pin cut. Its hard steel but can be done. I looked at your pic again and wonder if you could cut pin with torch on outside and clean edges and drive back to center and pull out through center view

That is exactly the way it was when I bought it. I spent an hour tonight trying to get it out. I pounded on the outer part of the pin with a heavy hammer. That thing won't budge. I used a drift punch on the inside. Nope, not moving.

I could cut the pin off and grind it flat, but I still don't think I can drive it back through. About the only thing I can think of is to drill it out. I have a feeling that ain't gonna be easy since the pin is hardened.

I got one of the posi plates out. If I can get the other one out, will the other 3 spider gears come out?

Is the pin stuck on the spider gear. Can you twist the pin?

Yes, the pin is stuck on the gear, almost like it's welded on, but it will rotate (both pin and spider gear rotates together).

Are the inside of your other rear end good, like the spiders?

The diff still in the car has an open carrier (non-posi). I was thinking the spider gears are different.

I am trying to figure what would be your best line of attack. Do you have access to a torch

Try this, get torch and heat the end of the pin only. Do not get spider gear red hot. Once pin end is red drive it toward center. You have a lot of metal there so i would have a friend ready to drive pin right of way when pin end is red hot. The pin end that needs to be heated is the one next to spider gear inside. Try to save spider gear. Have carrier on hard surface for total impack of hitting pin.

No torch. Well, a propane torch, but that's not going to get it hot enough.

I was pricing parts. New posi plate and springs, posi clutch pack, spider gear set, center pin, ect. is probably gonna run a little more than $300. I can buy a new loaded Eaton posi carrier for under $450.

One last thought, Could you take it to a local machine shop and ask them to get it out.
Sometimes they will suprise you on what they can do and price too.

No torch. Well, a propane torch, but that's not going to get it hot enough.

I was pricing parts. New posi plate and springs, posi clutch pack, spider gear set, center pin, ect. is probably gonna run a little more than $300. I can buy a new loaded Eaton posi carrier for under $450.

Buy the new Eaton.With the shaft stuck that tight in the spider gear I bet the gear isnt any good anyway.Also with all the beating what is the condition of the hole the pin goes through?

Yeah, I think the gear is toast and the hole isn't looking that good either. I'll pull the axles out of the car this weekend, if they need replaced, I might just try to convince my wife I need a Ford 9" instead of rebuilding what I have.

Buy a new carrier. As said, with finding, now aftermarket since too old for GM to sell, you'll need clutch plates and their shims, differential gears, and the green springs vice OE yellow springs, add in labor to set up diff backlash, you're at the new price if not above.

Then, bearings, shims and labor to set up the carrier in the housing. plus axle seals, and the rest of the parts forgotten.

If it were mine, I’d cut the pin as flush to the housing as possible. Then I’d take the ring off. Then I’d put the housing unit on a drill press & keep making a larger & larger hole through the center of the pin. I’ve used this technique a number of times with smaller bolts that were totally frozen in their respective part. Sometimes when you get to the very most outer perimeter of the bolt, you can easily remove the remainder, (in your case the pin).

I bet the pin is to hard to drill.

I bet the pin is to hard to drill.


That well could be. I've never put one to the test. :)

I messed around some more tonight. It won't budge. I cut the pin flush and removed the ring gear. If I rebuild this 12 bolt, I'll just get another carrier. Thanks all.

Another update, I pulled the cover off the 12 bolt under the Camaro, removed the C clips, then yanked the axles out. Thankfully, the axles look to be in great condition.

I found a couple of places that sell the new 12 bolt Eaton posi 3 series carrier fully loaded for about $400. So, looks like I'm going to rebuild the 12 bolt.

What's a good source for the rearend overhaul kit with Timken bearings, shims, crush sleeve, gaskets, seals, etc.?