Front Differential Dismounting & Remounting: Dismounting

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Suzuki XL-7 and 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Lift up vehicle and drain oil.
Disconnect air hose and breather hose from differential housing.
Before removing propeller shaft, give match marks (1) on joint flange and propeller shaft as shown in the figure.

Fig 1: Marking Joint Flange & Propeller Shaft
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Remove propeller shaft flange by removing its 4 bolts and suspend it with cord or the like.
NOTE: If pull out propeller shaft, transfer oil must be drained before pulling out.
Remove bolts (1) for left mounting bracket and bolts and nuts (2) for drive shaft flange to set left side of differential free.

Fig 2: Removing Bolts For Left Mounting Bracket & Bolts/Nuts For Drive Shaft Flange
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Remove bolts (1, 2) and rear mounting bracket (3).
Remove bolts (4) and rear mounting bracket No. 2 (5).

Fig 3: Removing Rear Mounting Bracket No. 2
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
With differential housing assembly held with transmission jack, remove front mounting bracket (2) bolts (1) on right end of housing (3).

Fig 4: Removing Front Mounting Bracket Bolts On Right End Of Housing
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Using 2 large flat end rods (4) as levers, pull out right side drive shaft joint (1) from differential (2) and dismount housing assembly from vehicle.
CAUTION: During above work, use care not to cause damage to drive shaft boot.

Fig 5: Pulling Out Right Side Drive Shaft Joint From Differential
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.