help me drop the diff. crossmember
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Corinth Tx
Re: help me drop the diff. crossmember (Ed T)
first unbolt everything and then use a wedge (like for splitting wood) between the fram and crossmember if yours is like mine was than no amount of prying will ever work
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 14
From: Lancaster PA
Re: help me drop the diff. crossmember (Ed T)
I used a 6' digging iron to pry mine apart. It was no picnic. I think I recall some guys on the forum saying they used a gear puller to pull it apart. Good Luck, Craig
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Re: help me drop the diff. crossmember (CF6873)
Drop the whole differential with the beam on it, that way you can pull the beam and have leverage to control the diff wilst supporting it with a jack. Some helpers would be really handy. Also, this would be a good chance to replace (if worn) the mounts or replace w/ solid bushings.. and clean up the crossmember.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,662
Likes: 7
From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: help me drop the diff. crossmember (Ed T)
I used a splitting wedge and a pickle fork along with a 3lb. maul. I used the pickle fork to get it wide enough to drive in the wedge, and then started hammering on the wedge. I a floor jack right under the center chunk my old exhaust pipes still in place, so when one side popped loose it didn't drop far until it contacted the jack and the pipes. I had some old dog blankets over the pipes to cushion the fall.
It only dropped about 2 inches, then I went to the other side and started pounding. I was hitting the end of the wedge so hard, my wife thought I was destroying the car.
I have also read that heat applied to the center of the mounts will help free them also.
I agree that no amount of prying with a prybar will get it out if you just try to use leverage and your weight, I had a 4 foor prybar and I put my full 250 on it and the crossmember wouldn't budge!
It only dropped about 2 inches, then I went to the other side and started pounding. I was hitting the end of the wedge so hard, my wife thought I was destroying the car.
I have also read that heat applied to the center of the mounts will help free them also.
I agree that no amount of prying with a prybar will get it out if you just try to use leverage and your weight, I had a 4 foor prybar and I put my full 250 on it and the crossmember wouldn't budge!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 1,009
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
Re: help me drop the diff. crossmember (Ed T)
Ed, use a 5 or 6 inch 2 jaw gear puller. Just loosen the bolts a little to catch the crossmember when it drops and run the puller bolt onto the crossmember bolt. Literally got mine out in 5 minutes this way.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 677
Likes: 5
From: Cary North Carolina
Re: help me drop the diff. crossmember (Ed T)
I removed mine just last week. I supported the dif. with a jack and used a pickle fork to wedge it apart. Not by prying it apart but by driving the fork in along the side of the joint a little ways then pulling down then driving it in along the other side and then pulling down. It released after the second try on the first side and after the fourth try on the second side (probably because it was at a slight angle). I think I would rather try the gear puller meathod as it was a bit of a suprise when it did turn loose.
Here is a link to a picture album with pictures of this joint
The first is a pic of the ball part of the joint. Notice the vertical scaring on the joint. To my belief it has only been off this one time, and since there is no travel in the joint it happened when it went on or when it came off. So it is tight.
The second picture was a mistake I photograghed the wrong side.
The third is the socket part of the joint. It is all rubber inside.
The link:
Also, be aware that to replace 1 rubber bushing is about $140
Hope this shed some light,
David
[Modified by GATOR454, 11:41 PM 9/24/2003]
[Modified by GATOR454, 11:44 PM 9/24/2003]
Here is a link to a picture album with pictures of this joint
The first is a pic of the ball part of the joint. Notice the vertical scaring on the joint. To my belief it has only been off this one time, and since there is no travel in the joint it happened when it went on or when it came off. So it is tight.
The second picture was a mistake I photograghed the wrong side.
The third is the socket part of the joint. It is all rubber inside.
The link:
Also, be aware that to replace 1 rubber bushing is about $140
Hope this shed some light,
David
[Modified by GATOR454, 11:41 PM 9/24/2003]
[Modified by GATOR454, 11:44 PM 9/24/2003]
Racer
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 467
Likes: 1
From: Dayton Ohio
Re: help me drop the diff. crossmember (69ttop502)
Ed, use a 5 or 6 inch 2 jaw gear puller. Just loosen the bolts a little to catch the crossmember when it drops and run the puller bolt onto the crossmember bolt. Literally got mine out in 5 minutes this way.
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
Re: help me drop the diff. crossmember (Ed T)
Hey Ed, Good luck with that crossmember, let me know if you need any help :yesnod: . Did you go to C. E. Mills last saturday, any bargains ? The trip to Newark was an eye opener for my honey, she freaked at the traffic and drivers, changed her mind and cancelled the class. Bye, Peace,,,,,,,,,Craig :seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: help me drop the diff. crossmember (Ed T)
I pried mine off with a 3ft pipe. I like the gear puller idea.
The rubber bushing just gets stuck to the steel 'tophat'.
Suction cup action plays into it, too - I think.
Definitely leave the bolts in loose (a few turns) to catch it from crashing down.
:seeya
The rubber bushing just gets stuck to the steel 'tophat'.
Suction cup action plays into it, too - I think.
Definitely leave the bolts in loose (a few turns) to catch it from crashing down.
:seeya
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 213
From: Pittsburgh PA
Re: help me drop the diff. crossmember (NHvette)
My brother and I used a 4' pry bar. It's not the force, but the angle that is the trick. The weight of the differential brings it down, once you pry at the proper angle. The crossmember/dif combo wants to fall back and down towards the rear of the car. As others have said, leave the bolts in place loose and a jack a couple inches below the dif to catch it.
It's really not that hard, especially compared to lower shock mount removal.
The scary part is removing the 4 bolts that hold the crossmember to the dif. Soak them good overnight. If you strip them, you're screwed.
:smash: :smash: :smash:
It's really not that hard, especially compared to lower shock mount removal.
The scary part is removing the 4 bolts that hold the crossmember to the dif. Soak them good overnight. If you strip them, you're screwed.
:smash: :smash: :smash:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 213
From: Pittsburgh PA
Re: help me drop the diff. crossmember (Ed T)
I got a torch but I wont be using it anywhere my new paint job!!
The car looks great. :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 11
From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: help me drop the diff. crossmember (Ed T)
Good job....nice to see a follow up and with pic's yet. :cool:
All too often questions are asked and answered yet we never find out how it all turned out...let alone get a thank you.
All too often questions are asked and answered yet we never find out how it all turned out...let alone get a thank you.
