'55 Corvette Rear Axle
This rear axle was used from 1953 through the 1955 model year. The rear axle was a semi-floating Hotchkiss drive-type differential. It featured a pressed-steel banjo that was of two-piece welded construction with a removable inspection cover. The axle center was much smaller than the passenger axle and the rear axles had a C-clip retention system similar to the late-model 12-bolt axles. The axles in this differential are the same as the '51-'54 passenger-car axles. This axle has an exposed, unsupported driveshaft. The overall specifications for the '53-'55 Corvette differential are as follows:
Rearend Type: 10-bolt, C-clip style
Ring Gear Diameter: 8.20 in
Pinion Diameter: 1.438 in
Pinion Splines: 17
Axle Splines: 17
Axle Spline Diameter: 1.155 in
Rear Axle Dimensions
Axle tube flange to axle tube flange: 5411/42 in
Between centerlines of spring perches: 4751/48 in
Axleshaft length: Right 2911/42 in, 231/44-in pilot; Left 2811/42 in, 231/44-in pilot
Casting No.: Right 3694756; Left 3694755
| Rear-Axle Codes |
| Series | Ratio | Description | Code | Source |
| 2934 | 3.55:1 | Powerglide | AE | G |
| 3.55:1 | Three-Speed | AH* | G |
| 3.27:1 | Three-Speed | AD** | G |
| * Late production three-speed |
| **Unverified |
From Corvette By The Numbers by Alan Colvin, published in 2002, used with permission of Robert Bently Publishers.
This is the first of a new series of articles that will concentrate on specific numbers you need to spec out a Corvette.