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Cleaning old posi unit

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Post by Hs1973 Tue Sep 13, 2016 9:34 am

Hi guys the European needs advise again. I just bought a 10 bolt rear with a posi for my chevelle. It is in good shape but has been stored for a long time. The oil in it has turned to almost asfalt and is a gooey mess. What do i clean it with? An open unit i would just trow in a tub of degreaser, but im worry about the cluthplates and such. Can i just use brake cleaner? Or what do i do.
Regards from Copenhagen henrik
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Post by Joe73 Tue Sep 13, 2016 11:15 am

I think brake cleaner (which I love) would do a great job but be too caustic and evaporate too quickly. I think I'd lean more towards mineral spirits.
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Post by Hs1973 Tue Sep 13, 2016 11:54 am

I was just afraid to do damage to it by using something like petroleum like i normally would. So If i use a degreaser that does not leave any grease behind like petroleum does i would be alright.

I Got a hell of a deal on a rear from a trans am with a 3:42 gear and posi. It is like new under all the gunk. It seams like the oil has turned in to a paint like substance. I can peel it off in flakes. Its everywhere on the inside but mostly in the bottom of the pumpkin. Im going to use a engine degreaser and a wire brush and finish off with brake cleaner. I cant wait to install and get it on the Road. First i need to study how to set it up though.

Thanks guys for all your help. I would have a hard time keeping it running without assistence from you.

Regards henrik
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Post by Hs1973 Tue Sep 13, 2016 11:57 am

Oh by the Way, im not sure what mineral spirits is, is it like paint thinner? Or what we Call purified gasoline. Its gasoline that is clear of oder and clear off all the bad stuff.
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Post by Joe73 Tue Sep 13, 2016 11:58 am

I'd have no problem with a petroleum based cleaner like mineral spirits. It keeps everything the same. The oil in the rear is petroleum based. Its just that mineral spirits are more highly refined.
Brake cleaner might be a good idea for the final spray clean.
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Post by Joe73 Tue Sep 13, 2016 12:00 pm

Hs1973 wrote:Oh by the Way, im not sure what mineral spirits is, is it like paint thinner? Or what we Call purified gasoline. Its gasoline that is clear of oder and clear off all the bad stuff.

Yes, its paint thinner. Highly refined petroleum. Keeps everything the same in the rear. Brake cleaner also evaporates too quickly to get the gunk out.
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Post by Hs1973 Tue Sep 13, 2016 2:51 pm

Oh ok i know now what you mean. Thanks alot again.
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Post by alowerlevel Wed Sep 14, 2016 4:15 pm

Yep I would soak everything in mineral spirits/paint thinner and then a final clean with some brake clean
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Post by Hs1973 Thu Sep 15, 2016 2:34 am

Today im going to take the rear apart. But first im going to attempt to clean the gear so that i can get a clear reading on the pattern. Ill then take a pictures of it for future reference. Then i will take it apart and label everything so i know what was sitting where.

Ill let it soak it in paint thinner and see If i can get it clean. Its Got almost a coating on everything like it was painted with brown paint. You can scrabe it of pretty easily. So ill see how it goes. I originaly wanted new parts, but i cant come up with the cash for it at this time, my wife has been out of work in a while, so moneys kind of tight. I make a little on the side and Got an offer on this rear, so ill see If i cant get it to work.

I have been told that it can be a b.... To get it set up Being a used part. But im going to give it a try the gear and posi looks like new under all the gunk, no chipped teeth or shavings. It is also Nice and tight when you turn it. So slop or anything. I dont Think it has Many miles on it. So im hopefull.
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Post by bracketchev1221 Thu Sep 15, 2016 6:13 am

But without a rebuild of the posi unit, the paintlike stuff and goo is already between the clutches and plates. So just dipping it is not going to get that stuff out. And as soon as it does break free the first time you drive it, it will wind up in the bearings.
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Post by Hs1973 Thu Sep 15, 2016 1:59 pm

It turns out that it was not as bad as i first thought. Most of the gooey stuff is sitting on on the pumpkin walls. The posi unit cleaned up Nice with a brush and some paint thinner. I then used brake cleaner and compressed air to clean the last small residue of. And it like new under the oil. Im going to buy an install kit and change all bearings and such. Also on the Web i read that i should put in a new steel rod, the one that looks the aksels and c clips. I have hope for the future yet. Thanks guys.
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Post by Joe73 Thu Sep 15, 2016 2:24 pm

Glad it cleaned up nice.
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Post by Hs1973 Fri Sep 16, 2016 1:10 pm

Yeah it is always a gamble buying old parts. Sometimes i Forget parts are 40 plus years old. But hey not Being Rich means making do with the things you Got. I am looking forward to see and feel it. I hope it Wakes it up a bit, and i look forward to piss off the territory in front of my house with 2 Nice Black stribes instead of just one.
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