1960 Deville Rear end change

[DanRobinson]

Hey guys, great forum you have here!!
The rear end in my 1960 Deville is shot. Grinding noises, leaks fluid out the back side, just total junk. I've located a '58 and a '61 online. Will either or both of those interchange? I've been told '58 thru '62 will, but I don't know how to confirm that before driving 5 hours to pick one up.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Are you talking about just replacing the Pumpkin?   Or the Whole unit, from axle flange to axle flange?

Bruce.

[DanRobinson]

Yeah, the whole unit from axle flange to axle flange.

[Poncholover]

No reason to replace the whole unit unless you are detailing out the new one or it is bent.
This will be a good time to evaluate wheel cylinders & axle bearings/seals, U joints.
Just replace the 3rd member. Make sure you use the same gear ratio unless you don't mind dealing with speedometer gears & transmission shift points.
Enjoy!

[DanRobinson]

Thanks for the advice! Pretty sure it's not the original rear end because the speedometer says you're going 70 when you are really going 55.

This is going to sound crazy, but it leaks oil out the backside, opposite of where there's any bolts or seals. I didn't know it leaked fluid because when I got the car a month ago it must not have had any in it. It started making an awful noise back there. The passenger side axle is stuck, there's metal shavings in the gear lube and the housing is incapable of holding oil.
So does anybody know if a '58 or '61 assembly physically fits, regardless of the gear ratio?

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

I suggest you buy 2 books.
#1 A Cadillac Master parts list from the mid 60's.
#2 A Mid 60's Hollanders.
I think you're gonna find some differences in the housings for sure.
Good Luck.
Bob

[Poncholover]

Looks like '58-62 Axle Assy interchanges, non Commercial.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

You will have to use the original 1960 brakes as these are self-adjusting, as against the earlier ones.

Personally, I would be going for the '61 as that will have the self-adjusting feature, but your big problem is going to be in the suspension mounting points.   Unless you actually know, you might have to simply swap over all the internals from one to the other, so you retain the '60 housing.

As for your speedo difference to actual speed is pretty normal for pre-computer years.   These cars always read about 10% faster from the factory.

Bruce.

[DanRobinson]

I suggest you buy 2 books.
#1 A Cadillac Master parts list from the mid 60's.
#2 A Mid 60's Hollanders.
I think you're gonna find some differences in the housings for sure.
Good Luck.
Bob

Great idea. I'll try to find those 👍🏼