Rear axle codes identify gear ratio, differential type, and date of manufacture. They can be found on a small metal tag attached to the rear axle and can be deciphered using repair manuals or by contacting auto clubs. Understanding rear axle codes is important for repairs, salvage yard searches, and vehicle restorations, and can increase a vehicle’s value as a matching numbers vehicle.
Rear axle codes are used to identify the specific details of an individual vehicle’s rear axle and are commonly found stamped on a small metal tag attached to the rear axle of rear wheel drive vehicles. Rear axle codes are usually mounted to the center section of the rear axle bolted to one of the attachment bolts that secure the center section to the axle housing. The information encoded on the label is the gear ratio, the differential type and the date of manufacture. Other codes are used to identify the manufacturing plant and the year of manufacture. Rear axle codes are very important when trying to identify the gear ratio of an axle or fit the proper components into a vehicle restoration.
Represented as numbers and letters in a specific order, rear axle codes can be deciphered by obtaining information commonly found in vehicle repair manuals available at libraries and auto parts stores around the world. Many of the most popular vehicles have the rear axle codes listed online under various keywords. It is usually best for people to contact an auto club or collectors club that focuses on the vehicle model that requires identification and request decoding information related to the identification tag in question.
It is important to decipher rear axle codes when an axle needs repair. This will allow parts to be purchased in advance rather than after disassembly and will provide identification of the type of components used on the axle. Understanding rear axle codes also aids in axle identification when searching for an axle at a salvage yard, where axles may already be removed from the vehicle. When attempting to restore a popular muscle car or particular performance package option, the rear axle codes will not only ensure that the properly installed rear axle equipment package is installed on the vehicle, but more importantly, it will ensure that the axle of the correct year is used in the restoration. This can lead to a matching numbers restoration that is much more valuable than a no match numbers vehicle.
When a vehicle is said to be a Match Numbers vehicle, it means that the engine, transmission and rear axle codes are correct in regards to the year and model manufactured, and equipped with the correctly selected components. With the right vehicle, a matching number vehicle can sell for more than double the amount of a mismatched vehicle. Some collectible vehicles displaying the proper code and date tags with the correct options can exceed $1 million United States Dollars (USD) at auction.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
