I have a 1989 gmc k1500 5.7 350, how do i find the gear ratio for the rear end?

Question

some of the teeth are broke off one of my gears should i change the whole thing or replace the gears?

Answer 1

yes definitey. Replace everything. The ring and pinion gears, and the carrier as well. I would also throw a new differential in there.

Get a good rebuild kit for the rear which will have the carrier bearings, etc.. The reason the teeth broke is probably because the bearings wore down and you got too much lash (Play) in the gears, which will easily chip the teeth.

Otherwise, an old school way to get the gear ratio is to turn the driveshaft in half turn increments. count the turns until the tire makes a full circle. If you have 3.23, you should get about 3 and a quarter turns of the driveshaft to one rotation of the tire.

Answer 2

You should be able to buy a used rear end , axle, yoke, brakes and everything from a junk yard for a couple hundered bucks.

Remove the brake lines, park brake cable, and remove the U bolts on the leaf springs.

You cold have all done in a couple hours.

Answer 3

YES REPLACE EVERYTHING..........

DIVIDE RING TEETH BY PINION TEETH.