Differential Case & Ring Gear: Removal
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- Raise and support vehicle. Remove steering gear actuator and differential cover. See STEERING GEAR ACTUATOR & DIFFERENTIAL COVER . Remove Axle shafts. See AXLE SHAFT & SEAL .
- Loosen the bearing cap bolts. DO NOT remove the bearing cap bolts at this time. Install the Axle Housing Spreader (J-24385-01) onto the axle housing. See Fig 1 . Install the Guide Pins (J-25025), the Dial Indicator (J-8001-1) and the appropriate dial indicator adapters onto the axle housing.
- Preload the dial of the dial indicator by pushing it against the edge of the axle housing spreader until the needle of the dial indicator has moved approximately 3/4 of a turn clockwise. Rotate the indicator housing to align the dial indicator needle to ZERO.
- Spread the axle housing by turning the clevis screw of the axle housing spreader clockwise while observing the dial indicator. Spread the housing just enough to remove the differential assembly. Remove the guide pins. Remove dial indicator and mounting adapters from the axle housing. Remove the bearing cap bolts.
- Corresponding letters are stamped on the bearing caps and axle housing. The bearing caps must be reassembled in the same position as removed. Remove the bearing caps. Remove the differential assembly. Remove the axle housing spreader.
- Remove and discard the ring gear bolts. Remove the ring gear from the differential case. Drive the gear off with a brass drift, if necessary. Remove the differential side bearings, if necessary. See DIFFERENTIAL SIDE BEARINGS .
CAUTION:
Notice DO NOT spread the axle housing more than 0.015" (0.38 mm). Overspreading the housing may result in component damage.
CAUTION:
To prevent personal injury and/or component damage, support the differential case when removing the case from the axle housing. If the case is not supported, the differential case could fall and cause personal injury or damage to the differential case.