How do I identify a Sure Grip ?

[MopART]

How do I identify a S.G. unit if it was lying around lose and is there a way to tell what sort of condition it's in before it were installed ?

Thanks MopART

[carl]

if you look inside the carrier and can see the side gears it's a open rear.
the sure grip will have springs and or clutches in side the carrier.
thats about the best way i can discripe it.

there is a way to kinda check them but it's kinda hard to explain it.
but it involves trying to hold the axle while trying to turn the yoke.
and then holding one axle and trying to turn the other axle.
carl
http://members.xoom.com/dustermocar/carl.html

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mocar or nopar

[The Dartman]

There are two types of Sure Grip rears you can look out for (lying around):

The first (and best) is the style that came primarily in 742 cases - I don't know who makes it. It can be rebuilt since it has clutches, and kits are easily found. The other post stating about looking for side "spider" gears is the easiest way to find an open type rear Diff. This 742 case is nearly solid all the way around the carrier which makes it the easiest to identify.

The second type is a cone type sure grip (by borg warner?) which, as mentioned in other posts, by factory definition is not rebuildable (but check Tim K's post becuase they can be). These will have a hole a little larger than a postage stamp that you can look in and see springs and cones.

Rule of thumb: if the carrier is solid or you see springs its a Sure grip.

Rule of thumb #2: The first style Sure grip is better becuase of ease of rebuilding.

Rule of thumb #3: If you manage to get a sure grip - keep it!! The stuff's getting hard to find!!

[Dart]

Dartman: Actually there is only one Sure Grip. It was offered after mid '69. The one before the Sure Grip is the Trac-loc. This is the rebuildable unit. The way to tell the difference is by looking at the unit. The Trac-Loc has two pivots in it and is way beefier. The Sure Grip has one pivot and is not as beefy. The only way to tell if it is good is to run it unless you want to take it apart. You coould install it and try to turn the wheels, but this isn't always accurate.

[This message has been edited by Dart (edited January 12, 2000).]

[MopART]

Dart,
So which is better the trac-loc or the SG ?
My guess would be that chances of finding a trac-loc would be slim if it's that old.

Thanks Dartman. You gave me what I was looking for - visual keys....