Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Differential Carrier: Removal
- Remove the front axle assembly. Refer to: Axle Assembly .
- Remove the differential cover bolts and differential cover.
- Using the special tool and a slide hammer, remove the axle shaft. Use Special Service Tool: 307-397 Remover, Transmission Fluid Pump.Use the General Equipment: Slide Hammer
- Remove and discard the inner and outer circlips.
- Remove the axle tube bolts and the axle tube.
-
NOTE: The fixture mounting bolts must have the minimum of 12.7 mm (0.500 In) of thread engagement in the carrier or damage to the component may occur.
Using the special tool, mount the axle assembly. Use Special Service Tool: 307-003 (T57L-500-B) Holding Fixture, Transmission.
-
NOTE: The fixture mounting bolts must have the minimum of 12.7 mm (0.500 In) of thread engagement in the carrier or damage to the component may occur.
Install the special tools. Use Special Service Tool: 205-001 (TOOL-4000-E) Spreader, Differential Carrier., 205-335 (T93P-4000-A) Spreader, Differential Housing (Plate)., 205-368 (T96T-4000-A) Adapter for Differential Housing Spreader.
- Install the Dial Indicator Gauge with Holding Fixture and Clutch Housing Gauge. Use Special Service Tool: 100-002 (TOOL-4201-C) Holding Fixture with Dial Indicator Gauge., 205-001 (TOOL-4000-E) Spreader, Differential Carrier., 308-021 (T75L-4201-A) Gauge, Clutch Housing.
-
NOTE: Overspreading may damage the component. Do not spread the differential housing more then 0.762 mm (0.030 in).
Spread the axle housing to the specification.
- Adjust the Dial Indicator Gauge to zero. Use Special Service Tool: 100-002 (TOOL-4201-C) Holding Fixture with Dial Indicator Gauge., 308-021 (T75L-4201-A) Gauge, Clutch Housing.
- Tighten the housing spreader screw to spread the axle housing to the specification.
- Remove the Dial Indicator Gauge with Holding Fixture.
-
NOTE: Mark the differential bearing caps Top or Bottom and LH or RH appropriately before removing them. Always install the differential bearing caps in their original positions or damage to the component may occur.
Remove the differential cap bolts and the differential caps.
-
NOTE: The differential bearing cups and shims must be installed in their original locations and positions.
- Index-mark the position of the differential bearing cups and shims.
- Remove the differential carrier, differential bearing cups and the differential side shims.
- If drive pinion bearings or differential bearings are to be replaced, loosen and remove the differential housing spreader.
NO RELATED
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.