I gotta get this thing out.....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Santa Rosa CA
I gotta get this thing out.....
Is there a way to remove the differential on a manual 1985 without having to drop the tranny??? It looks like there might be enough room to drop it down and back at the same time, but the batwings and C-beam make it pretty tight.....
If not, could someone describe what you had to loosen/remove?
All halfshafts, knuckles, and exhaust have been removed.
If not, could someone describe what you had to loosen/remove?
All halfshafts, knuckles, and exhaust have been removed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: I gotta get this thing out..... (shamvette)
Sham,
I did this over the winter. I pulled the driveshaft and c-beam, the spindle rods (the aluminum members from the diff to the knuckles) and the tierods from the diff to the knuckles. I loosened/removed the u-joints at the half shafts/diff. Now the only thing holding the diff in place is the two bolts on the frame/batwings. It's much easier to drop the batwing/diff and remoove the batwing cover with the diff off the car. If your changing the gear you'll have to seal the batwing cover onto the diff after the gear swap, I can't imagine how to do a good job of sealing the case with the batwing on the car.
While I had the diff out I installed a drain plug on the diff case, much easier to change the lube with it. I also installed poly bushings on the batwing/body and the spindle rods. Very nice!
Eric
I did this over the winter. I pulled the driveshaft and c-beam, the spindle rods (the aluminum members from the diff to the knuckles) and the tierods from the diff to the knuckles. I loosened/removed the u-joints at the half shafts/diff. Now the only thing holding the diff in place is the two bolts on the frame/batwings. It's much easier to drop the batwing/diff and remoove the batwing cover with the diff off the car. If your changing the gear you'll have to seal the batwing cover onto the diff after the gear swap, I can't imagine how to do a good job of sealing the case with the batwing on the car.
While I had the diff out I installed a drain plug on the diff case, much easier to change the lube with it. I also installed poly bushings on the batwing/body and the spindle rods. Very nice!
Eric
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,321
Likes: 0
From: Reno NV
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: I gotta get this thing out..... (silver & red CE)
i just did this yesterday... Its WAY EASY!! all you have to do, now that the knuckles are off is...
Make sure you use a jack or 2x4 to support the tranny. If you dont support it, you could crack your distributor later on.
Remove the driveshaft by undoing the spiderstraps on the differential end of the shaft.
Remove the 4 bolts (2 on each end) that hold the C-beam onto the tranny and differential. Use a pry bar and work the C shaft off the car, it will take some time, but be paitent, it will come out. Make sure you dont pry on the output shaft of the tranny
Use a jack and support the differential, undo the batwing bolts, and the diff will fall basically fall out. Have someone helping you, one of you to hold the diff another to operate the jack.
The diff is sealed with RTV silicone, and make sure everything is super clean before you reassemble it. (use acetone to wipe off the mating surfaces, make sure all sealent is gone etc...)
Thats it, install is reverse of removal :D
Have fun, i did a total swap in 2 days including part hunting (bolts were stripped on my replacement diff :U ) Really sucked
have fun...
Milan
Make sure you use a jack or 2x4 to support the tranny. If you dont support it, you could crack your distributor later on.
Remove the driveshaft by undoing the spiderstraps on the differential end of the shaft.
Remove the 4 bolts (2 on each end) that hold the C-beam onto the tranny and differential. Use a pry bar and work the C shaft off the car, it will take some time, but be paitent, it will come out. Make sure you dont pry on the output shaft of the tranny
Use a jack and support the differential, undo the batwing bolts, and the diff will fall basically fall out. Have someone helping you, one of you to hold the diff another to operate the jack.
The diff is sealed with RTV silicone, and make sure everything is super clean before you reassemble it. (use acetone to wipe off the mating surfaces, make sure all sealent is gone etc...)
Thats it, install is reverse of removal :D
Have fun, i did a total swap in 2 days including part hunting (bolts were stripped on my replacement diff :U ) Really sucked
have fun...
Milan
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Santa Rosa CA
Re: I gotta get this thing out..... (shamvette)
Thanks for the information! It is good to know I will not have to drop the rear end of the tranny just to get the C beam out. So, all that is really left is somehow getting to the two bolts that secure the C beam to the tranny and then pry the C beam out. The experience that exists on this forum is pretty cool. Someday I'll answer more questions on this forum than I ask......
BTW, does anyone know of a good online step by step procedure for swapping out the gears (much like Scorp's U-joint replacement procedure)?? I will be performing my first gear swap with an experienced friend, but I would like to see what is out there for information. I also plan on taking lots of photos and will of course share once completed.
BTW, does anyone know of a good online step by step procedure for swapping out the gears (much like Scorp's U-joint replacement procedure)?? I will be performing my first gear swap with an experienced friend, but I would like to see what is out there for information. I also plan on taking lots of photos and will of course share once completed.
