Front diff water intrusion?

To get the bolt tight on top I used a swivel ratchet wrench

 

Perfect. Thanks. I can loosen the top bolt fine. I figure between that and the arm bolts I’ll sort it out. Hopefully tonight and if that’s not possible tomorrow I’ll report back success haha.
FWIW the gears are awesome. Feels like a new truck. Doesn’t feel like I’m lugging big tires around anymore. Granted it’s only been 2-3 weeks since the tires but the difference is great

 

Success! I loosened the bracket bolt and removed the 3 diff bolts and supported it with a jack. I still couldn't quite get it so I also removed the 12mm bracket bolt and was able to move that around a bit more and get it in. The hardest part was probably putting the 12mm back into the bracket and diff.

I was going to pause on the air line install for the lockers and tackle it during the gear break-in but since I was a mess I decided to give it a go. So now I'm fully set. 488s, F&R locked. I bench tested and everything was good but wasn't able to crank it up once fully installed to keep the peace in the house. I can't wait to verify this tomorrow and figure out how to drive 500 miles with a few cool-downs as quickly as possible.

As always - thanks for all the quick feedback and tips!

 

For others: you don’t need these tools. I got them thinking I needed them but will return them. Hands fit easily if you get the right angle. Could see decently well from the front. Loosen the bolt that holds the metal line (didn’t remove all the way) then allowed me to pop the breather hose back on easily

 

Burger King ad guy, is that you?

 

Sure you don’t need them, but life’s too short to make it difficult on yourself for no good reason.

 

To each his own. I just don’t think they would help. A tool would’ve blocked my vision and doesn’t allow me to feel anything. I reached through from driver front tire area to the front diff. Could get my whole arm in there. I have average size hands lol. I’m guessing you were not attempting this big gaping hole…

i had to get my hands there to unbolt the metal hose bracket. Without that there was no way to get the line back on as there’s less than half an inch between the two metal hoses. After doing that it was easy by hand then bolted the bracket back down. Didn’t remove it all the way so was pretty easy just needed a 12 mm open crescent wrench. Maybe you guys are just massive people, average people +1

 

Says the guy who's avatar is the hulk