A couple of questions

[brothapig]

1) is it possible to rebuild a posi-traction rearend? Can I replace the cluch disks and make it like new, or do I need a new rearend?

2)are tail lights specifics to type of car? i.e. are '96 firebird tail lights different from '96 formula or '96 trans am tail lights?
(I need a driver's side tail light for a '96 formula, and have been searching on ebay, but not sure if I could go with trans am tail lights)

Thanks in advance for the replies.

[Trash man]

1) yes u can rebuild but it can get pricey adn u need special tools for settin the depth and backlash, also u need a very heavy duty press to press the bearings on and of

2) i beleive so

[brothapig]

I've been inside a regular open rear end, and I know what you mean about a heavy duty press.....we ended up having to cut the old bearing off, and paying a shop to put the new one on. I've seen, but never taken apart a posi-traction rear end. Are these parts available from a regular parts store? (NAPA, etc?) Thanks for the answers.

[Christopherrr]

yes, you can rebuild a rearend...you'll need new bearings (inside and out) and rebuild kit. If your LSD is puking on you, you'll want to go ahead and replace it too...LSD, new shaft and kit ran me $900ish without 3.73 gears.

No, LSD aren't a NAPA supplied item...at least when I called around. If you need info on where I got mine...PM me. I wouldn't do a reend rebuild and LSD swap if you're a novice.

No, taillights are not build differently between 93-97...yes, the lens cover differs (black outlines) for regular birds and v8s. You can swap them out easy...most do a 98+ swap.

[brothapig]

Ok, I might be a bit confused. My rearend is no longer acting like a posi-traction. I don't have any problems with noise, bearings, etc, and don't plan on replacing gears. I'm looking to replace the clutch disks if I can. Is that what you meant by an LSD swap? Do I need to swap a whole carrier to fix this? (Not that it wouldn't be wise to replace bearings once it's opened up....)

On the tail lights, the only thing I found I can replace is the whole lens assembly. I removed this by taking off the plastic wing nuts inside the trunk. Is it possible to remove only the clear cover with the lines? So what you are saying is that the formula and trans am line pattern is the same?

Sorry for more questions, but I appreciate your responses.

[Injuneer]

93-97 Formula and Trans Am tail light assemblies are identical. They differ from the base Firebird in that they have a "semi-blackout" pattern inside the lens. I wasn't aware that the covers could be swapped, but then I never tried to take one apart.

If you want to go with the 98 and up tail light assemblies, I believe all Firebird models - base, Formula, T/A - use the same "honeycomb" pattern assemblies.

To rebuild the posi clutches, assuming you can even disassemble the units they put in the stock 10-bolts, you remove the entire carrier, with the ring gear and bearings. You would be well advised to replace the bearings as part of the rebuild. In reassembling the carrier to the housing, you would have to check the backlash, as a minimum, since its is affected by the way you mount the carrier in the housing. Probably be a good idea to check the contact pattern as well.

Since you have it apart, replacing the pinion bearings, pinion seal and crush sleeve would be a good idea, and now you are faced with a complete setup, including pinion depth, backlash, and verification of the contact pattern.