HELP!HELP! Diff Change Have Question
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Instructor
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From: JACKSONVILLE FL
HELP!HELP! Diff Change Have Question
HAVE A 98 A5 WITH A 273 AND AM TRYING TO CONVERT TO 342 (2003) Z06 DIFF. DO YOU HAVE TO DROP TRANS AND EXHAUST IF YOU ARE ONLY CHANGING DIFF. IS THERE ENOUGH ROOM TO LOWER TRANS AN INCH OR TWO IN ORDER TO CLEAR THE DIFF AND TRANS SHAFT AND REMOVE DIFF FROM CAR. IF NOT DO YOU HAVE TO REMOVE EXHAUST AND DRIVESHAFT TUBE COVER PLATE(LONG FLAT PLATE WITH MANY SCREWS) IN ORDER TO LOWER/ANGLE TRANS/TUBE /ENGINE IN ORDER TO GET ROOM TO REMOVE DIFF....ANY THOUGHTS...KEVIN 
Last edited by ANTHONYCORVETTE; Dec 7, 2004 at 06:39 PM.
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
You need to remove the center and rear sections of the exhaust, the rear crossmember and the tunnel plate to get the diff out. A couple of guys have posted in the past that they tilted the engine/torque tube/tranny/diff combo enough to slide the diff off without pulling the tube/tranny/diff combo out. I've helped with a diff swap and, this weekend, helped with a clutch swap and both times we pulled the assembly completely out.
You'll notice a sticker on the torque tube that warns against tilting the engine/torque tube/tranny/diff combo below the bottom of the rear tub or you'll crush the firewall. Also, you'll need to disconnect the intake so it isn't damaged or doesn't resist tilting. Here are a few pages of pics of the diff removal we did.
http://redshift.homestead.com/Drivetrain1.html
Here's a shot of the sticker. The warning's in the manual as well.
You'll notice a sticker on the torque tube that warns against tilting the engine/torque tube/tranny/diff combo below the bottom of the rear tub or you'll crush the firewall. Also, you'll need to disconnect the intake so it isn't damaged or doesn't resist tilting. Here are a few pages of pics of the diff removal we did.
http://redshift.homestead.com/Drivetrain1.html
Here's a shot of the sticker. The warning's in the manual as well.
Last edited by Patches; Dec 7, 2004 at 07:03 PM.
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From: Assachusetts
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: JACKSONVILLE FL
Diff Help
I APPRECIATE ALL THE HELP AND PICTURES. ONE MORE QUESTION DO YOU NEED TO REPLACE SEALS ON NEW DIFF. THE ONE I AM PUTTING IN IS A 342 OUT OF A 2003 Z06 WITH ROUGHLY 1K MILES....AGAIN THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP IN ADVANCE....KEVIN 
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From: Loveland CO
You don't need to remove your center exhaust or your tunnel plate. You can brace your tranny and diff up and then drop the rear suspension. Take the bolts out that connect the tranny and diff. Take the side cover off your diff and turn it. It will slide right off. If you are doing this instal on jack stands then this way probably not work. Kaley
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
You can brace your tranny and diff up and then drop the rear suspension.
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From: Loveland CO
Originally Posted by Mike Mercury
I'm trying to picture this approach. Are you saying one doesn't need to swing down the torque tube/tranny assembly ? That by solely dropping the rear suspension - there will be enough clearance ???
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
You will have to drop the tranny enough to where there is only about an 1/8th between the tourque tube and the plate. Then there will be enough clearance.=
Help me here... why does the carrier side plate need removed ?
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From: Houston, Tx Got traction?
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08
When i removed my tranny and diff.....a M12 tranny, i just braced the drivetrain dropped the rear suspension then un bolted the transmission from the torque tube, slid it back disconected the shift linkage, and lowered the tranny, it came out of the car with no problems or without having to touch the exhaust or the torquetube
Resident moron
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From: Assachusetts
Originally Posted by Mike Mercury
OK - I see it now. So you do still need to swing down the assembly - but there is enough existing clearance (without taking off the exhaust/tunnel cover).
Help me here... why does the carrier side plate need removed ?
Help me here... why does the carrier side plate need removed ?
Seems plausible. Seems useful too. Getting the exhaust lined back up every time gets old FAST.
Dope
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From: michigan
Originally Posted by Dope
It seems there isn't enough room if you don't. You take off a side plate, rotate the carrier 90* so that the 'empty' side is now facing up, and you should be able to slide it off.
Seems plausible. Seems useful too. Getting the exhaust lined back up every time gets old FAST.
Dope
Seems plausible. Seems useful too. Getting the exhaust lined back up every time gets old FAST.
Dope
