full floating?

[scoobert]

can anyone tell me how i would know if my gmc was a full floating or semi floating rear axle? its a 1995 14 bolt 8 lug suburban diesel, on a 3500 frame.

i must not be the first one to blow spiders.
http://www.car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi

 

[alexspop]

Do you have a spindle or hub on the rear that allows you to remove the axle without removing the spindle/hub? If it's a full floater the outer end of the axle is usually splined, hence you can remove one axle and still drive the vehicle without it.

 

[scoobert]

oh, so it has those bolts on the end of it? no, you must take the axle right out hub and all. does that answer the question?

 

[alexspop]

Does the axle ride on a bearing on the outer end? Can you put the hub back on without the axle? Sounds like you have a semi floating set-up.

 

[FSTJACK]

The stock axle is not full floating.

 

[scoobert]

thanks guys. one more thing, are they interchangeable? if i buy the whole thing will it work just the same? i see a mix of full floating and semi, and some with a ? mark.

 

[alexspop]

If you find one that has the same mounting brackets/spring perches you should be fine. Your wheels may or may not work with it. I'm not much of a 4-wheel guy. A quick look-up shows the full floaters came in 72-92 K2500s and K3500s. The full floater will have a 10.5 ring gear and a 6 bolt removable pinion.