[Warren Seale]

I just repainted the leaf springs and rear with flat black paint. The original paint on the diff housing appeared to be flat black, but the axle tubes and springs appeared to be gray. I am the original owner and know that it was never touched after it was built. Does anyone know for sure what the original paint scheme was? I also took note to the factory marks. There were white painted large letters on the bottom and top of the diff housing, white paint smeared on the back of the diff housing where the left and right axle tubes are inserted, blue/pink marks on the right hand side axle tube next to the brake water shield. This is a 4 wheel disc brake axle. Does anyone know what the marks mean?
Thanks,
Warren
79 T/A,WS6,A3,403
96 T/A,WS6,M6
72 442,W30,A3

[Warren Seale]

I just repainted the leaf springs and rear with flat black paint. The original paint on the diff housing appeared to be flat black, but the axle tubes and springs appeared to be gray. I am the original owner and know that it was never touched after it was built. Does anyone know for sure what the original paint scheme was? I also took note to the factory marks. There were white painted large letters on the bottom and top of the diff housing, white paint smeared on the back of the diff housing where the left and right axle tubes are inserted, blue/pink marks on the right hand side axle tube next to the brake water shield. This is a 4 wheel disc brake axle. Does anyone know what the marks mean?
Thanks,
Warren
79 T/A,WS6,A3,403
96 T/A,WS6,M6
72 442,W30,A3

[David]

Warren, can you shoot me those pics in an email at Crzy4my10th@aol.com? The paint marks are just assembly markings just to let everyone know that one piece has been checked. Also, the axle tubes should just be raw cast. I've taken pictures of a 100 miler 10th anniversary and even the diff. cover was raw. What plant did your car come from?


Thanks

[Warren Seale]

This is a Norwood car. I don't have a diggy cam, so it's not convenient for me to get it to ya. Did you notice if the springs were bare metal?
Warren

[David]

Warren, the springs are heat treated and gives the springs a dark black look. I would use a flat black and it would be as close as you would be able to match them.

[Rocky Rotella]

I've got a technical bulletin from about 1975 that specifically states that the rear differential will no longer be painted. I know my 76 Trans Am was unpainted. As far as the springs, I think they got a light coat of black. Even new springs come with a very light coat.

[Warren Seale]

I know for sure that the diff housing had black paint on it. After cleaning it up, the areas that had oil on it was preserved pretty well. Under the oil coating there was definitely black paint. I couldn't tell what gloss level it had do the the oil sitting on there for so many years.
Warren

[David]

Warren, I've seen where the factory had just blacked out the back side of the axle tube and pumpkin with light mist of black. The rest of the tube was left untouched.

[Dens71TA]

My '71 T/A has a 2PQ code factory 3.42 axle from a '80 or '81 Trans Am and the entire axle is bare metal except for the rear cover which is painted semi-gloss black.

1971 Trans Am 455 HO - Cameo white
1973 Trans Am 455 - Buccaneer red
1984 Trans Am 305 - Royal blue