Differential tools

[Blizzard242]

I'm changing out my open differential to a zexel really soon for the winter and I just need to know what tools I'll be needing. Are there any torque specs I need to know for the ring gear? Are they tty bolts or can I reuse them? Any other tips would be appreciated too.

[ssms5411]

Re: Differential tools

Pinoion nut is TTY , I would invest in a TA cover, and ARP stud kit , or at least the stud kit.

[bigbrian442]

Re: Differential tools

Pinion nut is not TTY but it is single use. It is simply a lock nut. Any time you remove it the nut and the crush sleeve should be replaced. As long as you make sure to put the carrier shims back on the sides they came from you shouldn't need anything other than a torque wrench. If you need to check or set backlash, you will need a dial indicator and magnetic base. A dial caliper helps when searching for shims.

[taylor.o1]

Re: Differential tools

i made a fairly detailed write up of when i swaped my gears. ill email it to you if your interested its got lots of pics and includes tork specs for some of the bolts.
I used the normal sockets and wrenches pluss
a 3' breaker bar
1 1/4 inch socket
dial indicator with magnetic base
calipers

[Blizzard242]

Re: Differential tools

I'm only changing the carrier, not the gears so I don't even have to take the pinion out. So there are shims on the left and right of the carrier I should watch for? I've really been looking forward to doing this so I've asked a lot of questions to some of my co-workers. Basically they described it to me as taking the cover off.. taking 4 bolts off the "caps"-2 on each side and the carrier comes out. Then after swapping the ring gear to the new carrier installation is reverse. They said something about clips and sliding the axles out too.

Yeah, taylor I might as well check out your writeup. I will be changing gears for my "track" car so that would really help later. Blizzard242@hotmail.com

[taylor.o1]

Re: Differential tools

yes there are shims on either side of the cairrer as well as races for the bearings. hopefully everything goes good for you but if your carriers are not exactly the same then you may have to change shims to get the correct tooth contact which could require removing the pinion and changing shims. when i did my gear swap i also swiched to a gov locker and i ended up having to add on quite a bit to the pinion shim which isent normal. you also have to whatch out for you abs stuff. when changing carriers

my write up shows and explains the sliding the axles in and removing the clips and how to pry the carrier out. i emailed it to you if you dont get itlet me know

[Blizzard242]

Re: Differential tools

Taylor, that is an awesome write up with good pics. If it's not stickied for any reason it should be.

The new/used carrier I got is suppose to be the same sizing so I shouldn't have to change any shims but I'll pick up some of that gear paint stuff and check it anyways. I've got everything I need except the dial indicator, which I shouldn't have to use for this swap since I'm not taking the pinion out right?

Again though, awesome write up. It definitely helped with my confidence level.

[taylor.o1]

Re: Differential tools

I would never do anything to my rear end and not cheak backlash with a dial indicator.... buttt if your using the same gears and come out with a decient wear pattern then my guess is you would be ok. what you should do is do a wear pattern test on the gears befor you remove the differential and then again after youve finished the job. this way you can compare the two. that will tell you if you need to swap shims or not.

well i havent posted that write up... there are too many pics and there too big to post but if a mod wanted to look at it and sticky it i would be glad to donate it to the site.

[Blizzard242]

Re: Differential tools

Update:

So I finally did that swap last week. I actually really enjoyed doing it. The wear pattern looked great too. On the first test drive there was a popping sound coming from the rear so I was freaking out. It was a little inconsistent so I was unsure about exactly what it could be.
I jacked the car back up and both of my axle bearings had a little vertical play so I ended up pulling the cover back off and installed "repair" bearings. The popping/knocking sound continued. Turns out that I just didn't torque down one of the panhard bolts and nuts. I was almost convinced I bought a bad carrier but so relieved when I found out it was just a little suspension bolt.

BTW, what do you guys use to fill your differential with? I had a decent sized vacuum hose on hand but it seemed like it took forever and I couldn't really fit a funnel down there.

[taylor.o1]

Re: Differential tools

Awsome!!!:tup:

I use a small bottle with a nozle on it and squease the bottle so the oil shoots out in a small jet. I have to refill the bottle a couple times to fill it all the way up

[bigbrian442]

Re: Differential tools

A pump.

[Rhunadan]

Re: Differential tools

[QUOTE=taylor.o1;988268]i made a fairly detailed write up of when i swaped my gears. ill email it to you if your interested its got lots of pics and includes tork specs for some of the bolts.


I would very much appreciate it if you emailed me that write-up as well.

Thanks.

[taylor.o1]

Re: Differential tools

I would very much appreciate it if you emailed me that write-up as well.

Thanks.

on its way

[Blizzard242]

Re: Differential tools

Awsome!!!:tup:

I use a small bottle with a nozle on it and squease the bottle so the oil shoots out in a small jet. I have to refill the bottle a couple times to fill it all the way up

Thanks for the help.

A pump.

Thanks brian lol, I'll try to come up with a harder question next time.

[bigbrian442]

Re: Differential tools

Thanks brian lol, I'll try to come up with a harder question next time.

I do alot of rears so It was worth buying one that fits a 5 gal bucket. They do sell pumps for the smaller bottles for a few $.