Moderators, if you know of a better place to post this, go ahead and move it. I thought it might get more exposure here.

My son has an '72 Chevy/GMC truck that has busted the spider gears (each one is missing at least 2 teeth) <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> in the rear end. It has an H072 (14 bolt) rear end in it. Does anyone know where I might be able to find spider gears for this rear end? It has 2 spider gears and that is it, otherwise a pretty well built differential. He's thinking about welding them, but neither he nor I can find gears. I believe this was an Eaton product for GM, I also believe that '72 was about the last year for this rear end, so we may be out of luck. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Junkyard. Maybe even the GM dealer?

Pretty common part in this area. Check with the differential shops, LMC Chevy, etc., and look through magazines. Your truck likely has the Eaton, as you say, and shouldn't be difficult to source spider gears for, it's a Chevy afterall.

The 4x4Wire portal has a web link section with a number of suspension and drivetrain suppliers.

See: http://www.4x4wire.com/4x4-links/4x4-suspension-and-drivetrain-systems

try http://www.ringpinion.com/Default.aspx

But the HO72 can be found in lots of yards <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

We've looked in the local junkyards with no luck. Most of them have newer stuff. The local junkyards tend to hold on to stuff for a little while, but if it doesn't sell, they get rid of it after awhile, I don't know why. (Insert: All the good rear ends are gone). Seems the rear end that he has, the last couple of years of production were around '72.



Only problem is, there are very few differential shops in the area and if they do diffs, they do other work also. the big diff shops are several hours east or more where most shops send their work to be done. Checked with Eaton and they do not support this diff anymore. I am sure someone makes replacement parts for it, especially the spider gears. We are trying to stay away from the dealer at this point. I have a buddy of mine I went to high school with that works the parts counter at the local Ford dealer. He says that if you want anything earlier than around the mid '80's you have to find an aftermarket or someone that has them. Ford might have them, but they are hard to look up (micro-fiche, not computer) and usually special order and a good lead time. I am assuming GM is the same. I have a friend that is the service manager at the local Chevy dealer, I may approach him about parts and see if he can find out if they are available.

I'll check out the links in John's post. Now that may take awhile to go through most of them on the 4x4 wire portal!!!!!

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.

If it's an H072 it should have a 10 bolt cover and 12 bolts in the ring. But, you say this is 14 bolts?

I've searched and I see nothing on Randy's website. I'll do some more digging and see what I can find. I might know where some spare parts for one are too.

Yukon Gear

Actually the hogs head (removable pumpkin) is a 10 bolt, but the back cover is weird and it has like 14 bolts in it! What is up with that? My son told me it was a 14 bolt, but I don't think he knows what he is looking at. It has 456 gears and a rebuilt 350 that will flat out pull. This thing was built for pulling loads and that is how junior broke the spider gears, jerking a log that weighed about as much if not more than the truck. He really should have used the tractor and not the truck for this, but the tractor doesn't have a cab and heater!

I may have found some things at the 4x4wire site that John gave me. There are some kits for this unit on there. I haven't been able to contact jr. today between work and everything else.

Thanks for all of you guys help!

I will check Yukon gears too!

No luck here. All the spares have been stripped clean. Yukon offers nothing but install kits.... Best of luck in your search.