Cost to change rear
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
If you just want to remove the unit and replace it with another it should take about an hour. Not a big job at all providing it is not a rust bucket back there. Why not DIY. It does not take and great skill to do this. Just unbolting and bolting back in.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,130
Likes: 3,938
From: Connecticut, USA
Can certainly be done without a lift, thats how I do them. I remove the exhaust, spare tire box,disconnect the DS,remove spring, pull 1/2 shafts(you can also leave them in), remove struts after marking camber, put tranny jack or floor jack under diff about 1/2 gap, remove the sombero bolts and pry off the diff onto the jack and remove.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 548
Likes: 1
From: Victoria VA
So what did you all do put the car up on 4 jack stands and then go from there? And my 77 is not rusted so that is not a problem it has 51000 miles on it and looks good underside. I have been doing a bit of reading since I posted this and found something that said when installation cut the heads off two 1/2-13X1 1/4" bolts and slot the ends. Install these aligning studs into the two below center carrier bolt holes on on each side. Cut the head off one 9/16-18X1 1/4" bolt and slot the end. Install this aligning stud into the carrier underside to aid in reinstalling the strut rod bracket. Also position the yokes and flange at a 45 degree angle for removal and installation. It looks like the rear diff. cover needs to be oof the remove and install the diff? Thanks for all your help.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
Just to give you some hope.....I got mine out in about 2 hours or so.
Granted, this was a while I was at it, while doing my rear end rebuild, so everything was already pretty loose.
This, by the way, would be a good time to change the U joints.
Granted, this was a while I was at it, while doing my rear end rebuild, so everything was already pretty loose.
This, by the way, would be a good time to change the U joints.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,084
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
The job is absolutely doable with the car on jack stands.
You can leave the diff. cover on the rear and drop the rear crossmember which holds the unit up all as one unit. Only one bolt on each side, but you will probably need a puller to free up the bushings where the crossmember connects to the frame. Not too bad a project, really.
You can leave the diff. cover on the rear and drop the rear crossmember which holds the unit up all as one unit. Only one bolt on each side, but you will probably need a puller to free up the bushings where the crossmember connects to the frame. Not too bad a project, really.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 548
Likes: 1
From: Victoria VA
Got it done no problems! Changed out the rear, U joints and installed a B&M shift kit all went well and runs so much better! Also did a good detailing on it and then went for a ride. Nice to be able to smoke the tires and leave some black marks in second. I love it!!!! What a difference going from 3.08 to 3.70!! 
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
it was a PIA.....
it's not that bad a job, really, but it depends on your tools as always, If you going at it with minimal tools you in trouble, but if you have a compressor, air hammers, ratchets, and a fair selection of sockets....no sweat, really....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA