Hi, great site,

My question is I have a 1975 Dodge Dart Custom, with what I have been told is probably bad rear end bearings... and its probably caused the axle to score.. and possibly become brittle. This car was driven on and off for about 2 years with bad bearings. I want to replace the rear end, but the mechanic I took it to cannot figure out what the gear ratio is. I found another local mechanic that has experience, but am curious what type of charge is fare to replace the whole rear end?

Thanks for any advice,
Z.

First off, where are you located? Prices vary greatly, depending on location. It would be much more expensive in New york City, then in Ocala, Florida. If the 1st mechanic cannot determine the gear ratio, stay away from him. Are you sure it needs a complete rear, or just axle bearings, and maybe an axle?

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

I am up in Bremerton Washington, the car is currently in Edmonds Washington. The mechanic I had look at it originally told me that the axel would need to be replaced.... he said the bearings were rusty, looks like they had been submerged in water. He could not locate axels, he said that they were to hard to find.... and it would be about 500.00 if he could find it, and replace it. On another forum, a person suggested I just replace the whole rear end for about 300.00. Not really sure what to do with the car, it runs great, or did until this happened, I haven't driven it now for about 3 months. Sad to just let it sit, so I would like to get it fixed if I could. What do you think?

Thanks,
Z.

For $300 you can get a whole pile of 7 1/4 rear ends . Just look around, post wanted adds. 7 1/4 rear ends turn up pretty often for free or close to it.

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Thanks for the info.... I guess my problem is I purchased this car second... or probably 3rd hand.... not sure if its a 7 1/4 rear end or not.... guess I just have to find a mechanic to tell me what it is... my last one couldnt.... or just didnt want to take the time. Anyway, 300.00 isnt to bad to have it repaired. Thanks for the advice !

If you want to know what rear you have, jack it up, put on stands or blocks, and count the bolts on the inspection plate (I can count them on most cars if you jack the body up but not the rear...)

9= 7 1/4"
10 and round= 8 1/4"

No rear plate = 8 3/4"

good luck,

-D.idiot

Yeah, identifying the rear is the easy part — don't give up! And getting a replacement rear should be fairly easy, too, it may just take a little time and patience. Plenty of folks like me are replacing their 7 1/4 rears with larger 8 3/4 rears, so they give away the old one for free.

I'd give you mine, but I don't have my 8 3/4 ready yet and besides, my 7 1/4 has the 4" bolt pattern, while yours probably has the 4.5" bolt circle (that's something else you should determine, unless you want to buy two new wheels for the rear).

Hope this helps, and good luck!

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vm

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vm

This might help: www.car-part.com

Man, thanks guys, this will help me out for sure,

Wow, even a mediocre mechanic can figure out a gear ratio without even pulling parts; I'd stay far, far away from that first guy...

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I had one of those Customs, same year too. 7-1/4 rear end. Most likely the gear ratio is 2:73 or 2:76, I forget which one but it's one of those two.

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Troy Lindsay
'71 Plymouth Scamp 318ci
'95 Dodge Dakota Sport 5.2L 5spd
'05 Dodge Neon SXT