Differential Removal on a '79
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 446
Likes: 1
From: Cary NC
Differential Removal on a '79
I finally had my '79 road worthy and leak free. I took it out for a nice ride and she was so excited to be back on the road that she got a stomach ulcer 
. I look and the differential is leaking from just about every possible seal.
So now the question is what is the easiest way to pull the differential? Is this a job I could do in my 2 car garage or does it need to be farmed out? To me it looks like pretty much he whole suspension has to be dropped? The biggest job up to this point that I have done was the heater core so if there is a book/video/artice that would be great. Whatever rubber I will remove I will replace with poly equivalents.
. I look and the differential is leaking from just about every possible seal. So now the question is what is the easiest way to pull the differential? Is this a job I could do in my 2 car garage or does it need to be farmed out? To me it looks like pretty much he whole suspension has to be dropped? The biggest job up to this point that I have done was the heater core so if there is a book/video/artice that would be great. Whatever rubber I will remove I will replace with poly equivalents.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 199
Likes: 2
From: Suffern NY
Not a small job but you can do it.
1. Jack up rear end and support on jack stands/ lift is even better.
2. Disconnect and remove rear spring.
3. Disconnect/ remove half shafts and strut rods.
4. remove bolts securing front of differential/ drive shaft and loosen ( Don't fully remove) cross member bushing bolts.
5. Use a 2 jaw puller to pop the cross member bushings loose while supporting diff on jack (weighs approx 100 lbs) and then remove bolts.
Lower diff to ground and remove cross member from diff - 4bolts from top. Now your ready to tear down the diff.
I just did this in my garage - 4 post lift, northern tool transmission jack, lots of PB blaster and impact wrench. Also removed trailing arms, then gas tank, then rear bumper brakets. The while I'm at its really took over but I'll have fully restored rear chasis when I'm done. I'm going to have GTR 1999 do my diff and rear bearings.
Good luck. Not an intricate job, just need the right tools.
1. Jack up rear end and support on jack stands/ lift is even better.
2. Disconnect and remove rear spring.
3. Disconnect/ remove half shafts and strut rods.
4. remove bolts securing front of differential/ drive shaft and loosen ( Don't fully remove) cross member bushing bolts.
5. Use a 2 jaw puller to pop the cross member bushings loose while supporting diff on jack (weighs approx 100 lbs) and then remove bolts.
Lower diff to ground and remove cross member from diff - 4bolts from top. Now your ready to tear down the diff.
I just did this in my garage - 4 post lift, northern tool transmission jack, lots of PB blaster and impact wrench. Also removed trailing arms, then gas tank, then rear bumper brakets. The while I'm at its really took over but I'll have fully restored rear chasis when I'm done. I'm going to have GTR 1999 do my diff and rear bearings.
Good luck. Not an intricate job, just need the right tools.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I have had mine out countless times. Yes you have to take quite a bit of the rear out but it is not to bad to do. I can have mine down in about an hour but mine has been out before and no rusty bolts are in there. I aso have a lift which makes it easier. You do not have to remove the trailing arms but the strut rods have to be dropped in the center the half shafts removed and depending on your exhaust it may only have to be lowered or removed. You will probably find more worn out while you are there so be prepaired for more replacement parts.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 446
Likes: 1
From: Cary NC
My welded exhaust (true duals) looks like it might need to be cut. I plan to clean the differential up and paint it as well as change all the rubber I encounter. I don't think rusty bolts will be too big of an issues but you never know till you start 
.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Michael
Just did this on a 78. I removed exhaust and tub and than got into what is described above. Two car garage, no-lift, one alumnimum jack and air tools. I would say at minimum you need the jack to lower differential and than raise it to a point you can bolt it and/or spring to crossmember and than differential. Also air tools while not essential, quicken time removing bolts and dropping parts.
Just did this on a 78. I removed exhaust and tub and than got into what is described above. Two car garage, no-lift, one alumnimum jack and air tools. I would say at minimum you need the jack to lower differential and than raise it to a point you can bolt it and/or spring to crossmember and than differential. Also air tools while not essential, quicken time removing bolts and dropping parts.
