I just got a donor 4.88 geared front differential from TAP Recycling and I want to pull it apart, clean it out, reseal it and install it.

Now YotaTech members, here are the questions:

a) Is it worth the time and effort to rip apart, clean and reseal a fairly well sealed differential (this diff if from a '93 runner)

b) If it is worth the effort, how do I remove the cover? My book mentions a slide hammer and an axle flange being needed to pull something out, but I dont know what it is. (I was sent a complete diff with the complete passenger side axle.).

Help me out here YotaTech members.

-Nathan

 

You remove the cover by taking out the bolts that hold the cover on, just like it looks.
Is there still lube oil in it? I would probably visually check the gears, and look closely at the oil and if it looks good just use it the way it is.

 

I'd just run it if it wasn't leaky.

I think the slide hammer is to get the axle shafts out. You don't need it especially if you take the front cover off.

Stick a screwdriver betweent he cross pin and the end of the axle shaft(s) pry it/them out without damaging the cross pin bearing surfaces. (Just pay attention to where you are prying, OK.) The axle will pop out with LESS trouble than a slide hammer.

If you are doing a re-seal. get the output seals (2 if it isn't an ADD diff.) and a tube of RTV to glue the long side housing and cover back on. Get a new pinion seal.

 

They dont ship with oil in em...take it apart and COUNT THE TEETH, they sent me 4.10s the first time and I had to bug em to get em to ship me the right ones. I just cleaned it up and wacked the cover off with a rubber mallet then rtv it back on and filled her with gear oil.

 

ok, rubber mallet idea sounds good.

I just asked because there are these little star looking bolts that I thought I had to take off but I guess I dont... or something.

Thanks Yotatechers!

 

ah, the torx head bolts on the ADD stuff? yeah, after the trip to sears to get the sockets to get that off, replace the bolts with regular bolts. prevent that problem next time. My 89 non add unit had regular bolts.

 

Don't buy stuff from TAP.....