Front diff help.

[QuinnSY]

I'm trying to remove the front diff, but I'm having trouble separating it from the Half-shaft. Also I can't find the right wrench to fit in that tiny access hole in the frame to remove the nut from one of the bolts holding in the diff. Anyone who has done it before have and good methods tricks or tips? Thanks!

 

[Don W.]

Re: Front diff help.

A short box end of the correct size will go up in the hole in the bottom of the frame rail and hold that nut. It's metric but I don't know the size. 14mm I think??

There is tension on the half shaft and a shoulder inside that flange keeping it centered. Pry it away and off-center and you'll see. If by myself I will tie it back (toward the spindle) with some wire. It's helpful if the half-shaft is out of the way.

HTH

 

[blacktyaffair]

Re: Front diff help.

You need to use a short 18mm wrench to reach into the frame. I think an offset wrench would work better. I managed to do it with a regular boxed end wrench but it was a pita.

 

[T-Bone]

Re: Front diff help.

Don's post is spot on (I just removed one 2 weeks ago). You HAVE to use the box end of a wrench.....the open end will NOT fit inside the frame rail AND it helps to crank your steering wheel all the way left to move the steering rail out of the way of the frame access hole. Also, I had to unbolt the steering box and slide it down to enable the diff to rotate properly (you may have already realized this though). This also aids in getting the steering rail out of the way but I didn't realize it until after the fact.

It is not a hard process....just painstaking .

 

[QuinnSY]

Re: Front diff help.

I tried my 5 18mm wrenches, and the "open end" side won't fit into the hole, but the closed side will, but it won't go into that recess in the frame where the nut is! I'm going to go shopping tomorrow and see if I can find an open end wrench that it narrower.
Thanks for the help, even with the engine out it proves to be quite a pain, but then again I don't have the most mechanical experience out there yet! :lol: Quickly learning with the help of Dave P. though. :tup:
Thanks
-Matt

 

[sycho]

Re: Front diff help.

if you have 5 18mm wrenches, grind one down and make a sy ty specialty tool.

 

[T-Bone]

Re: Front diff help.

You might wanna try a smaller size wrench. Memory tells me the nut was NOT that large (18mm). The box end of the right size wrench will go through the opening without issue, whereas the open end will NOT go through it. Try 14-15 MM and also 5/8 or 11/16 since you just need something to resist it from turning. The nut in the frame is the same size as the nut on the rear mount bolt so you can easily determine the correct size wrench required. 99.9% sure 18mm is too big!

 

[Slyclone]

Re: Front diff help.

ever try a crows foot?

I am in the process of going over the front end. I had some trouble seperating the actual axle flange from both sides hubs. Must have been like rusted on. Both my inner CV joints are bad. I got one side complete, and just wating to go get the other axle shaft to finish it up.

 

[SY2455]

Re: Front diff help.

I used a 3/4" box wench to get up there, it worked like it was made for it.

 

[SY2455]

Re: Front diff help.

Now Dave :tup:, While the 18mm is the correct size, (my 18mm wench wouldn't fit up there) and being I just needed it to hold it and for some reason the 3/4" box wench would fit the hole. When I go back with it I will have a 18mm wench that will fit the hole. How is that frontend rebuild going? Did your Idea that we talked about work ?

 

[SY2455]

Re: Front diff help.

I KNEW I was going to get feedback on this point. And it's warranted.

The suggestion to use a 3/4 wrench is a good one. It will have just enough 'slop' to allow it to fit on the nut regardless of orientation, but still enough grip to allow removal. And you already addressed using the correct 18MM to reinstall.

PS: I added a quote to my post above. Now my retort shouldn't appear to be directed at the "3/4 wrench" thing.

No harm here Dave, I will say that nut was driving me nuts after 3 different 18mm wenches would not get though that hole. Yet the 3/4 being a larger size would. I need to replace my grinding wheel so I can make one of my 18mm fit the hole.:tup:

 

[blacktyaffair]

Re: Front diff help.

It is DEFINITELY 18MM. I don't understand why people post suggestions if they aren't positive they are correct. It just causes unnecessary confusion. However, I believe T-bone is using his Aspen as his reference. Having personally inspected that truck in detail, It is entirely possible that that abomination had the wrong bolts in there. Thus his recolection may indeed be correct, just not applicable to anyone else's truck.

My Syclone is up on the lift. It's stored there, so it's easy to get under it. I just went outside and confirmed that my Craftsman 18MM box wrench goes right on after I turned the wheels a bit to the left to get the tie-rod end out of the way.

I don't understand the difficulty. Call me when you wake up. I'll come over and gitterdunn.

DaveP

Thank you for the confirmation. :tup: I was pretty sure it was an 18mm since I had to go buy a shorter wrench so it would not hit on the lower control arm. I also did this like three weeks ago. It was fun.