considering a DIY diff change
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento ca
considering a DIY diff change
I am considering a do it yourself diff change. I have a M/T and want to go to a 3.42 rear diff as mine was changed to 2.73.
Earlier this year I did valve springs on this car, I have done clutches ect in other cars, but am a little scared of the rear diff / torque tube ect.
Any stories / insight would be great.
Thanks
Toby
Earlier this year I did valve springs on this car, I have done clutches ect in other cars, but am a little scared of the rear diff / torque tube ect.
Any stories / insight would be great.
Thanks
Toby
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 46
From: Taylorsville North Carolina
Go to cajundude.com and he has a detailed diy with pics that should pretty much let you know if you want or not. I am in the middile of repl a pilot bearing so diff had to come out. A lot of stuff, but nothing hard. Good luck.
AMP Racing
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,755
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From: Washington TWP NJ
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
It is not a hard job. I've done it a few times. The hardest part is getting over the idea that you've got to drop the entire cradle out from under the car. It can be a little intimidating but don't let it be. You do need to be aware of the electrical connections on top of the diff and trans as you lower it down.
It's about a 4-5 hour job on jack stands. Less, if you have a lift.
It's about a 4-5 hour job on jack stands. Less, if you have a lift.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 3
From: somewhere shooting my assault rifles
Dropping it all is a piece of cake. I did it first time last week by myself with air tools (a must have) on jackstands and I bought as $79 tranny jack from Harbor Freight which made it very easy.
I dropped cradle separately from the rest cause its easier in my opinion that way especially when your trying to put the TT/trans/diff back into the clutch as 1 unit. I also changed the trans/diff fluids while they were on my tranny jack on the ground which was much easier than doing it later back installed.
Console out and shifter removed: 20 minutes
Exhaust/tunnel plate dropped: 30 minutes
cradle dropped: 1.5 hour (lots of little crap to remove before dropping it)
TT/trans/diff out as 1 unit all still together: 10 minutes
Putting it all back in was just as easy but took longer of course making sure everything was in place and torqued correctly but still done in 3 hours. I got lucky stabbing the input shaft into disc splines/pilot bearing on 3rd try.
I dropped cradle separately from the rest cause its easier in my opinion that way especially when your trying to put the TT/trans/diff back into the clutch as 1 unit. I also changed the trans/diff fluids while they were on my tranny jack on the ground which was much easier than doing it later back installed.
Console out and shifter removed: 20 minutes
Exhaust/tunnel plate dropped: 30 minutes
cradle dropped: 1.5 hour (lots of little crap to remove before dropping it)
TT/trans/diff out as 1 unit all still together: 10 minutes
Putting it all back in was just as easy but took longer of course making sure everything was in place and torqued correctly but still done in 3 hours. I got lucky stabbing the input shaft into disc splines/pilot bearing on 3rd try.
Last edited by Z06supercharged; Nov 2, 2009 at 04:23 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 202
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From: brownstown mi
I just pulled my diff out ,without dropping trans.I was surprised how easy it is.I did it on jack stands with two regular floor jacks.The diff was pretty light .The cradle is some what heavy. No real mechanic skills here.Just take your time.I was quoted $700 for install.No way it should take more than 4 hours labor by a mechanic.Do it, it's easy.
greg
greg
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
