Can a rookie like myself replace my diff?

[Armond]

Is it a "slap it" in kind of deal? I have the necessary tools and already have converted to 5 speed. Are there any tricks to make sure it's all balanced? thanks

[cowlum]

my advice. Reasearch what needs to be done alot! then throw yourself in headlong when you have planty of time. After alot of cursing swearing and frustration I always seem to come out the otherside with the task done. Best way to learn really!

As for the diff - no idea? best of luck, im going to watch your thread to see what the experts have to say.

although you are probably aware make sure the car is properly suspended and cannot fall on you. Ask my crushed scissor jack how it knows!

[ChrisN]

I'm a rookie and I did the 5 speed swap and a diff swap. Diff was much easier. Only problem is while I was in there I found plenty else to do. Experience is the best teacher.

Good luck!

[ibjettin]

Hey Armond,

You can do it - It's not that difficult

The only pain is removing the driveshaft from the diff.

[KFunk]

Yeah, the diff is remarkably easy. Just make sure you have a set of allen bits with one that will fit the allen bolts on the CVs, and 4 new locking nuts for the driveshaft. Make sure the car is supported rock solid, and follow the steps in the Haynes manual.

[finkbuilt]

Are there any tricks to make sure it's all balanced? thanks

One piece of advice: Quaife.

http://www.autotech.com/quaife/differentials/diffs.htm

But seriously, make sure that it is well-supported when you take the last bolt out. Them little things are HEAVY.

[gwb72tii]

you can do it

good advice up above to allow plenty of time (a full Saturday) cause there will be things you don't anticipate, like haveing to turn the rear wheels to be able to reach and unscrew the CV joint to diff socket head cap screws.

remember to replace the rubber bushings in the diff carrier while you're in there.

[cj]

Is it a "slap it" in kind of deal? I have the necessary tools and already have converted to 5 speed. Are there any tricks to make sure it's all balanced? thanks

Sounds like an episode of Bob the Builder!

Cris

[SteveJ]

WE CAN DO IT!

Seriously, That job is not all that hard, but having a full-on BBQ usually helps things along. OK, so it doesn't make the job go any faster. In fact, it'll probably slow you down. I can bring some yellow hardhats.

One piece of advice is that diff's are heavy. If it falls, make sure it has something soft to break its' fall...like your arm or shoulder.

[cowlum]

Just re-read your post. If you managed a 5 speed swap i would imagine the diff will be a no brainer.

[Armond]

Cris, It's more like Bob Vila.

Steve, I can BBQ any day. Just let me know if you are available. What about this Saturday? I can swing by after Cris's gig

What I meant was, my car already has the 5 speed conversion and LSD. I simply want to swap another diff. I have removed an LSD and a tranny but have not installed one.

[winstontj]

Here's an alternative suggestion to spice things up a bit:

What about dropping the whole rear subframe? Sounds a little crazy but it's actually a great opportunity to rebuild the whole rear end, bushings, subframe carriers, brake lines AND replacing the diff will be SUPER EASY.

It's very easy. Jack up the car, remove rear wheels, unbold back of the driveshaft (support it so you don't thrash your ctr. bearing), unbolt your shocks at the trailing arms, unbolt the rear diff hanger, unbolt the subframe carrier bolts & keeper/complaince arms. Lower down subframe and rebuild.

It'll take you just about as much time as wresteling with the diff and getting it out by yourself. AND putting the diff back in by yourself is a PITA (sounds like you'll have help) because those suckers are heavy and there is no good way to get them up and in there. Just one word of advice - whatever you do don't bold down the diff until you have the driveshaft connected. There is a little play and you'll appreciate being able to line up the diff to the driveshaft rather than the other way around.

Good luck

[Mike87]

Hi Armond.

I recently did a complete rear end replacement when I rebuilt the LSD and halfshafts. If you have the time and space, it really is not that difficult, just takes time. The diff is heavy once it is unbolted and takes some doing to remove and replace it, but after that it is just turning wrenches.

[SteveJ]

What about dropping the whole rear subframe?

It's already a slippery slope. Let's just give him a good push, eh?

:^)

[H_Krix]

It's very easy. Jack up the car, remove rear wheels, unbold back of the driveshaft (support it so you don't thrash your ctr. bearing), unbolt your shocks at the trailing arms, unbolt the rear diff hanger, unbolt the subframe carrier bolts & keeper/complaince arms. Lower down subframe and rebuild.

Where, exactly, do you put the jackstands while you drop the rear subframe out? I had started this, using the jack points, but the car didn't feel stable at all...