2003 Front End Wheel Differential

[Chaddy]

has anyone on here changed the front end wheel differential? Mine is cracked and I bought the part and now need to put it in on Saturday. Good news is a friend of mine is letting me use his lift. A mechanic quoted me 350 and it was approx a 3-4 hr job...just trying to see if it will indeed take that long and what are the surprises (if any)



Thanks in Advance

 

[Mr Dubya]

If all you're looking to do is swap out the front differential, the procedure is (i did it this fall):

1 (optional): Loosen the front steering knuckles via 'ball-joint disconnect' (I say optional because once I did it just by playing with the CV axles and popping them out of the knuckle) but FAR easier by loosening them.

2: Remove the CV axles from the knuckle and differential.

3: Disconnect the front differential from the front drive shaff (4 Torx bolts)

4: Pop off a breather hose (feel for it up top)

5: Unbolt (3? I think) frame mount bolts.

6: Replace

7: Reverse

 

[Chaddy]

AWESOME!!! Thanks much. How long would you say it took to complete the job? Is 2-3 hrs doable? -pending any major hic-ups.

 

[pet575]

Toughest thing you will face is removing the ball joints from the knuckles if that hasn't been done recently. I spent much more time on mine than anything else whenever removing CV's, changing wheel bearings, or replacing the ball joints. Also assumes you don't have broken spring clips on the differential side of the CV axles that will hand them up and make them difficult to remove.

If that all goes quickly and smoothly I'd think you could get all of it done in 3 hours or less.

 

[Chaddy]

Thanks much!!! It is appreciated.

 

[chakaD]

Just did this. Everything above, but also had to remove the sway bar end links and then the driver's side sway bar mounting bracket to get enough clearance to slide one of the diff mounting bolts out.

Hardest part like everyone else said is removing the spindle from the balljoints. Maybe the lifting and lining up the diff, but an extra set of hands will aid that.

 

[Chaddy]

If all you're looking to do is swap out the front differential, the procedure is (i did it this fall):

1 (optional): Loosen the front steering knuckles via 'ball-joint disconnect' (I say optional because once I did it just by playing with the CV axles and popping them out of the knuckle) but FAR easier by loosening them.

2: Remove the CV axles from the knuckle and differential

we didnt get the lift du to him being busy, so now it is the old fashion driveway repair...brother is helping, he was asking if anyone had pics for him to get a better idea on what he is dealing with...

Thanks

 

[chakaD]

I didn't take pics. But did it on my back alone. I use six ton jack stands which give you slightly more room and have a wider base. Took longer to take apart the spindles then to drop the axle housing and put it back in.

 

[Mr Dubya]

he was asking if anyone had pics for him to get a better idea on what he is dealing with...

I never took pics of the process when I rebuilt the front suspension, but I did everything with some jackstands, a crate to sit on, and some cardboard to lie on by myself. Slice the inconvenience factor in half if you've got a second person.


-Dubya

 

[Ronin8002]

Easiest way to separate the ball joint from the spindles is undo and remove the swaybar link, then remove the nut that holds the ball joint to the spindle. Next, put a jack under the lower control arm and jack the arm up so the upper control arm has got a little downward angle on it (but not quite level). Use a hammer to tap upward on the ball joint stud and it should pop up and separate itself from the spindle. Then you can lower the jack and the spindle will just pull downward away from the upper ball joint.

 

[Chaddy]

Thanks all...we finally got er done..time consuming, but none the less...COMPLETED!!!!

 

[mrau92me]

I'm curious. What were the symptoms of cracked differential? I'm still having a little vibration around 70 mph on my '02 Mountie even though I've got new tires, new front upper & lower balljoints, and new inner & outer tie rod ends.

 

[Chaddy]

It was cracked actually, the housing. The fluid leaked out and was also making a grinding type of sound. Mine was shaking pretty heavily at highway speeds and having a 'hummm" sound. Now that it is fixed, it rides pretty smooth, still has the hummm noise though.

 

[mrau92me]

It was cracked actually, the housing. The fluid leaked out and was also making a grinding type of sound. Mine was shaking pretty heavily at highway speeds and having a 'hummm" sound. Now that it is fixed, it rides pretty smooth, still has the hummm noise though.

The humm noise could be a bad wheel bearing. But, if your '03 is a daily driver, chances are you've already had to change all 4.

 

[Chaddy]

Hmmm, that could be though. I just bought it back in Feb with 108,x.. on it and it came with a cracked wheel diff...I may have to check it out..

Thanks for the info.