Remove Carrier from Differential

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Oct 18, 2017 | 07:36 PM

SnorT91Man

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Dec 2015

Posts: 167

Likes: 10

From: Woodway, Texas

Remove Carrier from Differential

Hey guys, I though that removing the batwing/differential from my '91 would be nearly impossible after reading about other members' experiences the last couple of years. Fortunately, it was a piece of cake... 20 minutes and it was sitting on the floor! (Strangely snuggling, neither of the batwing bushings was even touching both sides of the mounting tabs!) So, now I have to disassemble it to change gear sets and replace worn oil seals. My question is can the carrier be removed without a case spreader? I've read both Yes and No right here on the Forum.

Oct 18, 2017 | 08:05 PM

Kevova

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 6,192

Likes: 750

From: near the thumb in the mitten

Yes, easier to remove with,along with setting up afterwards. It's going to be awkward without a fixture to hold housing.

Oct 18, 2017 | 08:24 PM

odxr

Racer

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 313

Likes: 15

From: Modesto Ca

Yes but you need a big pry bar.I have a large vise on a freestanding base that I put the diff in.Sometimes I use a piece of 2x4 to rest the Pry bar on or hammer on.

Oct 18, 2017 | 09:53 PM

SnorT91Man

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Dec 2015

Posts: 167

Likes: 10

From: Woodway, Texas

Reply to Remove Carrier from Differential thread

Folks, I am in luck! When I undid the wheel bearing assembies, I had a couple of friends at a local machine shop make a slotted jig for me that will adjust to virtually any axle yolk used by Chevy since the Mid-Years were produced. Bolt the jig on to the input yolk and mount the 90-degree tab welded to it in a H-D vise, and now the back side of the differential Is facing the ceiling and everything's perfectly accessible. So, my original question is still how do I remove the carrier.

I tried using Reply to write this note but was unable to do it. What's up with that?

Oct 19, 2017 | 12:53 AM

odxr

Racer

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 313

Likes: 15

From: Modesto Ca

To pull the stub axles there are snap rings.You need some right angle snap ring pliers.The snap rings are select fit so put them back in the same side.After that pull the bearing cap bolts and the caps.I usually punch some dots in the caps-they have to go back on the same way.Then get the big pry bar and catch some ring gear bolt heads.You might need 2 pry bars.I just did a complete rebuild on a d44 a month ago with new clutches and 3.73 gears.If some shims come out make sure they go back in the same places.Diff service is heavy work.

Last edited by odxr; Oct 19, 2017 at 12:55 AM.

Oct 19, 2017 | 05:03 PM

mtwoolford

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 3,482

Likes: 196

From: folsom california

are you talking about taking the differential off of the batwing? I don't recall any problems other than smacking the batwing a couple of times with a rubber mallet.