Re : spare tire holder?

[RH100]

Hi,
I have a 2002 Ford explorer XLS. I am trying to remove the big black plastic thing underneath where the spare tire sits into when you bring it back up into its storage position. It's held by two black push pins. I tried using my trim tool to pull them out but the heads on the pins just flex. I have no leverage. I am trying to remove it bc part of it is in the way of the differential which I need to work on. Any help would be greatly helpful and appreciated...

 

[camodown]

Not sure I follow. The spare tire does not have to br moved to drop the rear differential.

 

[RH100]

Not sure I follow. The spare tire does not have to br moved to drop the rear differential.

You're right. I am not actually removing the differential...I am just servicing it. The gasket wore away so it's leaking. I need to remove the cover and apply new gasket maker all around. The lower 5 bolts are easy to get to, however, there isn't much space between the upper half of the differential and the bottom of the truck AND in addition, part of that huge plastic tire caddy comes down and is in my way regarding getting to the upper bolts.

 

[RH100]

You're right. I am not actually removing the differential...I am just servicing it. The gasket wore away so it's leaking. I need to remove the cover and apply new gasket maker all around. The lower 5 bolts are easy to get to, however, there isn't much space between the upper half of the differential and the bottom of the truck AND in addition, part of that huge plastic tire caddy comes down and is in my way regarding getting to the upper bolts.

I actually got it off...Just like I figured. I just used a prybar and pulled it down and out. Lol...Duh. The tree plugs were a bit messed up but reusable. I do have a bunch extra of many different sizes just in case. Thanks for inquiring...