Any Tips On Handling Diff

I'm changing the oil pan on my 2013 with the 2.7 and 4 x 4. I have everything disconnected except the 3 fastners that mount the front differential and the actuator harness plus there may be a vent tube. I even cracked the alan head fastner loose a bit to see if it was going to give me problems.

So tomorrow first thing is drop the diff. Looks like it has to move forward as it is coming out. My plan is to support it with a transmission jack as the mounting bolts are removed.

So anyone that has done this is there any tips? How far does it need dropped?

 

Couldn't tell you how much it needs dropped to get to the oil pan (or if it needs removed entirely or not)...
When I took mine out to install a locker, I basically just pivoted it down & out from the frame. There was a protrusion (pry boss?) near the top of the diff housing that hit the front crossmember though that I had to grind down slightly for it to clear, but that took all of about 5 minutes to grab an angle grinder and whip about ¼" off of it.

Just be aware the diff is VERY heavy and awkward to handle (like 100-120lbs or somewhere thereabouts).

 

Make sure breathers are disconnected, there's 2, the 4x4 connector and the prop shaft.

I remove the allen key mount first to give more room for rotation, once the 2 17mm and the key bolt are out, I pry up on the diff and remove the mount.

Then rotate the diff forward and out with the pinion upward.

It always pukes out oil, no matter how well you drain it lol.

 

Did mine over the winter for a re-gear. The hardest bit for me was lifting the diff back far enough up to reconnect the breather hose hardline to the top of the diff to the diff breather and thread the little bolt that holds it in place. You need to hold it just right, up far enough to reconnect the breather but not too far so that you've got room to work. Even with a tranny jack under the diff and an extension on the breather line, I was working by feel. I didn't see a work around (other than having the motor out) but I definitely didn't see a need to take a grinder to anything! Lol!

 

Ok i got the front diff dropped maybe 3-4 inches on the passer side and a little less on drivers side which really doesnt matter.

Anyway i am having trouble getting some of the oil pan bolts out. Especially about 5 or 6 at the front. There isnt much clearance there between the bolts and steering tube.

Cant get a rachet with a socket in there. What tool did you use to get the bolts out in that area?

 

box end ratcheting wrench and a few knocks from a dead blow hammer?

 

It's brutal, there's a few options.

Lower the transmission and tilt the engine back/upwards. This requires the cross member being dropped.

Or the "right" way. Remove the steering rack. It suuuuuucks but the rack comes out easy with the diff out. You could also try just loosening the rack.

 

couldnt get a ratcheting wrench on them. The ratcheting head is too big for clearance between the bolts heads and the oil pan. Plus the oil pan has a return on it that will only allow a socket on it.

 

So does the diff need completely removed for this?

Wondering if a 1/4 drive 10 mm universal socket would do any good.

 

It’s certainly worth trying.