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I'm in the process of rebuilding the whole rear suspension on my 1982. Maybe go with a 3.08 gear set. I'm close to getting the rear end out and need some ideas on the best method. It looks pretty difficult to get any kind of wrench on the u-joint bolts at the pinion yoke, so is it better to just pull the whole drive shaft out with the diff housing? Any suggestions would be helpful.
It’s tight, but certainly doable with the shaft installed. If you pull the driveshaft, you risk inducing a leak at the transmission so I’d avoid that if you can but if you do, best to replace that seal.
You probably already thought of this, but put that floor jack up under the differential case...ease up on the bolt connections.
As 69L88 notes, have a second set of hands ready to insert a plug into the transmission to stop fluid drain.
I've dropped my 78 several times but only enough to replace the fluid and stop the leaks...a really pain that still leaks!
Agree with Stingr69, 12 point socket to long extension and go through the front of the frame that is just forward of the pinion. Same with putting the shaft back in.
The 12 point socket with the long extension made it way easier. What I did was got the bolts that were accessible, put in neutral and rotated the shaft until the other ones were easy to get to.
I just pulled mine for overhaul, leave the driveshaft connected then disconnect on floor ,reverse procedure going back in thats what I did with no help it was easy. I painted everything including driveshaft so I wrapped it in paper taped it up so it doesn't get scratched up sliding over the cross member. Just a FYI the trailering arm bushings will probably be toast , get ready for sum fun.
If there is any thought of rebuilding the Trailing Arms at the same time, then you could have taken the whole assembly out in one piece. Just pulling the Drive Line out of the back of the Trans is the easy way to do it. Reassemble the same way. You need to have a plan to stop the Oil from running out of the Trans while its out. Another Trans Yoke is best, but a plastic bag and electrical tape can also work.
Hello. My 82 looks just like your picture. I'm doing the same. Were the spindle splash shields easy to remove or did those tiny bolts break/round off or other? I'm contemplating just disconnecting the differential side u-joints and dropping down half shafts out of the way if that can make space to drop the differential. Please let me know what you think?
Needing tips to remove 1982 differential
