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I have replaced the struts and wheel hubs in hopes that I could get this wheel bounce to go away. Shop told me it’s a balance issue. While that did temporarily help, I am of the belief that it could be the spider gears in the final drive.

My question is that can I use the final drive from an HD version and it’ll be okay? Aside from having to get the end cap and larger input shaft for the passenger side. Would I have to change the reluctor ring?

Please advise anyone. All help is greatly appreciated

You simply have a tire issue.

However to answer your question, you'd need everything in this picture, along with a PCM tune because of the gearing change.

Have you rotated your wheels to see if it follows?

In my opinion there is no way it's your diff.

You're missing some points on the diff swap too. You have a 3.05 final drive ratio that's made up of a 35:35 (1:1) internal chain ratio and multiplied by the differential ratio of 3.05. All HD diffs are 3.29 with a 33:37 chain ratio from the factory. The only other chain ratio is 37:33. So, basically, you can't keep your current final drive ratio if you swap to a HD diff. A different FDR will require pcm reprogramming.

But, yes, the diff, cover and (shorter) ps axle is what you would need mechanically. The reluctor wheel isn't required and sits on the input gear on the mentioned chain drive. If you did drop the trans and go so far as to pull the valve body, you may want to secure the reluctor wheel better as many do to avoid that failure.. although I think that's more of a power related issue.

How much play should there be on the passenger CV axle? Because I feel like there’s excessive play there. And why couldn’t I use my existing sun gear with the HD final drive… or am I missing something here?

The 4 gears that ride on the sun gear have a different diameter from a 3.29 and 3.05 FDR differential. Likewise with the sun gear so they work together. That's how a different FDR is achieved.

If you had excessive play at the axle, you would wear out that axle seal quicker. If it's not leaking excessively, don't worry about it.

Ok. Here’s what happened on the highway…. I was doing about 85 rounding a curve and then my right front tire began to shake like it was going to come off. It stopped but it scared me.

I don’t know what to make of this. If this “imbalance” persists, I may just give up on it. Tired of guessing

I have and it stays on the passenger front.

What vehicle(s) would have the same final drive as my SLE?

Anything with a 4T65 and a F83 RPO code. Look at other H bodies.

I would check your wheel bearing, tie rods (inner and outer) and lower control arm for play.

Control arms are new. Outer tie rods are new. Haven’t messed with the inner ones. Tire shop that did alignment said they were okay.

Just remember, new stands for Never Ever Worked (before). New parts can be bad out of the box or be defective.

Where is the RPO list located on Bonnevilles and other matching vehicles?

RPO codes can be found in the trunk typically, as a sticker on the plastic floor that covers the spare tire area.

Check all of your wheels for play on your own. Not only would I not trust a new part, but I've stopped trusting other people also lol

95naSTA wrote:Anything with a 4T65 and a F83 RPO code. Look at other H bodies.

I would check your wheel bearing, tie rods (inner and outer) and lower control arm for play.

I have the PCM from the Impala with the police package. Could I use that after putting in the HD final drive.

I'm assuming the Impy FDR is for what you're trying to do but I'm not sure. Look up the pcm part numbers to see if they're the same. Also realize there are differences in 4t65 control over the years.

95naSTA wrote:I'm assuming the Impy FDR is for what you're trying to do but I'm not sure. Look up the pcm part numbers to see if they're the same. Also realize there are differences in 4t65 control over the years.

I have looked at other transmissions in the wrecking yard with the F83 RPO code… And have noticed that there are different engines mated to these transmissions. From 2000 on up. Some of those engines are 3.4 L and 3.1 L. Could I use those transmissions? I do know that to keep my overdrive from my 2005 transmission. Any help is appreciated.