Component Disassembly & Reassembly: Differential: Disassembly
- Mark ring gear and differential case for reassembly reference. Spread ring gear bolt lock tabs. Remove ring gear bolts and lock tabs. Using brass hammer, tap ring gear from differential case. Remove bearings from differential case using appropriate bearing splitter and puller. Remove speedometer drive gear.
- Use a dial indicator to check side gear backlash. Hold one pinion against differential case. Measure side gear backlash. See Figure. Backlash should be .002-.008" (.05-.20 mm). If backlash is not within specification, side gear thrust washers must be replaced.
- Drive out pinion shaft lock pin from ring gear side. Remove pinion shaft, pinion gears, side gears, and thrust washers. See Figure. Remove oil seals from transaxle housing and transaxle case. Remove bearing outer races and shims from transaxle case and housing.