Removal

REMOVAL
1. Raise and support vehicle.
2. Remove the lubricant fill hole plug from the differential housing cover.
3. Remove the differential housing cover and allow fluid to drain.
4. Clean the housing cavity with flushing oil, light engine oil or lint free cloth. Do not use water, steam, kerosene or gasoline for cleaning.
5. Remove axle shafts.





6. Note the reference letters stamped on the bearing caps and housing machined sealing surface (Fig. 46).
7. Loosen the differential bearing cap bolts.





8. Position Spreader W-129-B, utilizing some items from Adapter set 6987, with the tool dowel pins seated in the locating holes (Fig. 47). Install the holddown clamps and tighten the tool turnbuckle finger tight.





9. Install a Pilot Stud C-3288-B at the left side of the differential housing. Attach Dial Indicator C-3339 to pilot stud. Load the indicator plunger against the opposite side of the housing (Fig. 48) and zero the indicator.

CAUTION: Do not spread over 0.38 mm (0.015 inch). If the housing is over-spread, it could be distorted or damaged.





10. Spread the housing enough to remove the differential case from the housing. Measure the distance with the dial indicator (Fig. 49).
11. Remove the dial indicator.
12. While holding the differential case in position, remove the differential bearing cap bolts and caps.





13. Remove the differential from the housing. Ensure that the differential bearing cups remain in position on the differential bearings (Fig. 50).
14. Remove bearing cups from the differential and tag them to indicate their location on the differential.
15. Remove differential case preload shims from the housing and tag them to indicate their location in the housing.
16. Remove spreader from housing.