2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission How difficult are differentials?

[Swamp Donkey]

I have a Dana 70 in the rear of my truck that I think is in need of carrier bearings. Also on my front diff I might need a pinion bearing... It is kinda sloppy. Front axle also needs seals, leaking on both sides. Anyways, I have lots of time to do this fix, but I will be doing it outside in my driveway if I decide to tackle it. Have lots of basic hand tools, but no specialties (dial indicator etc. ) I am handy enough to do it, Just wondering if it is worth it. $ 1000 bucks in labor, or $500 in tools. Is it worth the headaches of doing it myself? Already talking myself out of doing it! LOL

 

[Dkuhlman]

If you have never set up a ring and pinion back lash and engagement pattern, I'd take it to a shop. I guess it's one of those things that isn't hard to do but easy to mess up.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

Well..... that just about does it! LOL I am easily swayed. I might have just went ahead and done it, but outside in the driveway takes away alot of my enthusiasm... ...

 

[Joe Mc]

Agree w/Dkuhlman - set up is the most important part of the job if it's not done correctly you'll have bad luck with the diff. Shop the rate and make sure the shop stands behind their work (in writing of course), preferable that the shop you choose is proficient in drivetrain work. Another alternative is a used unit if the price is wright although you never know what you have till it's in and test driven . . .



My $. 02

 

[DieselNasty]

Not to high jack the thread but how hard is it to do the seals in the front axel? One of mine is leaking. At the same time I am doing balljoints, is it possible without the press(What needs to be done)?

 

[Swamp Donkey]

I kinda think the axle seal on the passenger side is way more intense then the drivers side... ... . Further in!

 

[n7gxz]

Actually the one on the passenger side is the easier one to do. To do the one on the drivers side you have to drop the ring carrier out which requires an axle spreader. I just did mine ovver Christmas.



Kevin

 

[Coalsmoke]

Not to high jack the thread but how hard is it to do the seals in the front axel? One of mine is leaking. At the same time I am doing balljoints, is it possible without the press(What needs to be done)?

its a bit of a PITA job, but not a hard one. pull 3 axle shafts and then diff carrier assembly. punch out old seals and then put back together with new ones. The real hard part is getting everything put back together, which includes the seals, making sure they are not crooked, and then sliding int the different axle shaft pieces without letting the end touch the inside of the axle tube (outside of wher the seal is) and pick up dirt. Probably took my 90 minutes to get the wheels off, front hubs loose and axle and seals out, and then about 3 hours to put everything back together. If you have a welder it will help as you have to make some long seal driver tools. I made a seal driver that was also a small slide hammer. Much easier to use that way.

 

[steved]

If you are not changing gears, then it is a matter of removing the old bearings, putting the new ones on, and reinstalling the carrier... check the setup, but I doubt it would change.



IMO, I would pull it, take the carrier and pinion to someplace, have the bearings and shims swapped (keeping the shims were they are), and bring it home.



I rebuilt my D70 in my 99 and simply swapped bearings as I described... the setup didn't change. I have also did several d60s this way as well... never had a setup change by just swapping bearings.



steved

 

[Nate]

You don't need a housing spreader to pull the diff and reinstall it. The driver's seal is easier in terms of removal and installation since there's plenty of room to work.

Actually the one on the passenger side is the easier one to do. To do the one on the drivers side you have to drop the ring carrier out which requires an axle spreader. I just did mine ovver Christmas.



Kevin