please tell me you have the front wheels braced with something?

 

whe i put my puddymod diff in i followed this thread except for removing the control arms. i felt that i could remove the axles from the diff. and well i did after a while. same thing when putting it back on. had to lift the diff all the way up with one axle in. thenn slowly down to push the other one. i was happy because that was the hardest thing. lol

 

The Workshop Manual show's disconnecting one suspension ball joint to move the drive shaft (axle) outward. It's not required, like MasterForce said you can remove/install one drive shaft at a time by moving the diff laterally.

 

I tried this method. I could not, for the life of me get the diff out without removing the axles. After struggling for over an hour and much cursing I spent 15 minutes and popped the ball joints then removed the half shafts. In my opinion this is much, much, easier assuming that you have the proper tools. I don't know why it wouldn't come out otherwise... anyway just my personal expierence. If i had to do it again I'm just going to pop the joints to make room.

Reinstallation tip: if you have trouble lining up the 4 rear studs to slid the diff back into place I found that removing two of the studs makes it much easier. After it's position simply re-install them.

 

this is for anyone that never remove the screw from the drive shaft !! NEED= 6mm hex connected to a impact gun !! dont use anything els as advised above post. 100% work every time !!

 

Question. Is it vitally important that the drive shaft bolts be replaced while doing this swap? Would it be okay to re-use the stock ones just for the break-in process while I order new ones?

I wish I knew these needed to be replaced (my fault for not looking into it beforehand). I was supposed to swap my diff tonight, but if I have to wait on bolts from Majestic I won't be able to do the swap till I get the new bolts and have another chance to hookup with my buddy the mechanic. Thanks in advance.

Ethan

 

They absolutely do NOT need to be replaced. As long as you dont strip them and you can tighten them properly they are fine.

 

Thank you very much sir, you just made my day

I will be sure to PB Blast & handle them very gingerly

 

hey, i am about to reinstall my diff. i tried following the DIY on the first page but, i couldnt get the control arm bolt out through the coil. so had to fight it left and right, which was a nightmare and became something like 3 hours just to remove the diff. well, i have basic tools such as wrenches, ratchet, torque wrench, and a breaker bar. is there any way to reinstall the diff a whole lot easier. also, last time i took the diff out, it was caught on something. i wiggled it out then fell abruptly on me. like i said, nightmare.

please, i am looking for advise on how to put it in. i would appreciate all help or any help.

 

While the diy is decent, I find some of the work unnecessary. I've done many diffs.

I have never removed the exhaust, the dif mounts, the upper a-arms, or the sway bar.

Remove the ABS sensors from the knuckle.

Pop the lower ball joints with the proper tool, and swing the knuckle and axles out of the dif. you dont even need to remove them all the way. this step alone will give you all the room you need to put the dif back in.