Front Axle - 186FIA: Differential: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Jeep Liberty. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Fig 1: DIFFERENTIAL COVER

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1 - COVER

2 - VENT TUBE

Remove differential housing cover (1). See Fig 1.

Fig 2: RIGHT SHAFT IN SIDE GEAR

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1 - AXLE SHAFT

2 - SCREWDRIVER

3 - SIDE GEAR

Push right axle shaft (1) out of side gear (3) with a screw driver (2) and remove shaft. See Fig 2.

Fig 3: DIFFERENTIAL SPREADER

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1 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING

2 - SAFETY CLAMPS

3 - SPREADER

4 - TURNBUCKLE

Mark differential bearing caps for installation reference.
Loosen bearing cap bolts.

Position Spreader W-129-B (3) onto differential locating holes and install the safety hold-down clamps (2). Tighten spreader turnbuckle (4) finger-tight. See Fig 3.

Fig 4: SPREAD DIFFERENTIAL CASE

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1 - PILOT STUD

2 - DIAL INDICATOR

3 - SPREADER

Install a Pilot Stud C-3288-B (1) at the left side of the differential housing. Attach Dial Indicator C-3339 (2) to pilot stud. Load indicator plunger against the opposite side of the housing and zero the indicator. See Fig 4.
Spread differential case while measuring the distance with the dial indicator.
CAUTION: Never spread the differential housing over 0.34 mm (0.013 in). Failure to heed caution may result in damage.

Remove dial indicator.

Fig 5: DIFFERENTIAL CASE

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1 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING

2 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE

3 - DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS

Hold differential case (2) and remove bearing caps. See Fig 5.
Remove differential from the housing (1).
Tag differential bearing (3) cups and shims to indicate location.
Remove spreader from housing.