Why is the front diff so hard to put back in
Why is the front diff so hard to put back in
So me and my buddy took 2 front differentials out of 2 awd astro vans know we tried all day to put the new 1 in but there is no way in hell its going in is there any trick or any help/advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
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ihatemybike
- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2224
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
- Location: Elgin, IL
Re: Why is the front diff so hard to put back in
I did Grumpy's solo earlier this year. Didn't notice any real trick. Just used a floor jack and wiggled the diff till it went in place.
What mounting point are you having trouble with?
What mounting point are you having trouble with?
Aaron
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
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LiftedAWDAstro
- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 4379
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
- Location: New Haven, NY
Re: Why is the front diff so hard to put back in
Put the long side axle tube up in first. It is then just a matter of twisting and turning until it goes.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
Re: Why is the front diff so hard to put back in
Awesome thanks for the suggestion will try out tomorrow. I think my biggest problem is that I can get the bottom part into the mount, but its the top mount cause Im not sure how to clear the two metal bars that turn the wheels when spinning the diff upwards while in the bottom mount.
But I think I have to wiggle it in there first before putting into mounts.
But I think I have to wiggle it in there first before putting into mounts.
Re: Why is the front diff so hard to put back in
Well I have no idea what was wrong with me on Saturday. I went under the car today around 12pm looked up and it all made perfect sense how to get it in there. GO figure.
Well anyways filled the trans and transfer case with dexron 6, and the front diff with synthetic gear oil, and she runs like a beaute.
Not really sure what was wrong with the old diff but I am glad everything worked out.\
Time to get some all terrain tires and maybe a small lift in the future
.
Thanks for all the help.
Well anyways filled the trans and transfer case with dexron 6, and the front diff with synthetic gear oil, and she runs like a beaute.
Not really sure what was wrong with the old diff but I am glad everything worked out.\
Time to get some all terrain tires and maybe a small lift in the future
.Thanks for all the help.
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mdmead
- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2153
- Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:45 pm
- Location: Selah, WA
- Contact:
Re: Why is the front diff so hard to put back in
Good job! Glad you got it fixed. 
Matt
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!
No new projects until the current ones are done!
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!
No new projects until the current ones are done!
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Cobra
- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1750
- Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:31 pm
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
Re: Why is the front diff so hard to put back in
how long did it take to remove and install the front diff btw
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler
1997 gone
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler
1997 gone
Re: Why is the front diff so hard to put back in
First time It took me about 2 hours, second time around 45 mins.Cobra wrote:how long did it take to remove and install the front diff btw
Re: Why is the front diff so hard to put back in
sxfx - What issues were you having with those diffs.? I'm having an issue with mine that I'm trying to sort out.sxfx wrote:So me and my buddy took 2 front differentials out of 2 awd astro vans know we tried all day to put the new 1 in but there is no way in hell its going in is there any trick or any help/advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated.