Differential Removal

Differential Removal
1. Raise the vehicle on a lift.
2. Remove the rear wheels.
3. Lift up the locking tab (A) on the spindle nut (B), then remove the nut.





4. Remove the cotter pin from the lower arm ball joint castle nut, then remove the castle nut. Then separate the ball joint from the lower arm using the ball joint thread protector and the ball joint remover.

NOTE:
^ To avoid damaging the ball joint, install the ball joint thread protector onto the threads of the ball joint.
^ Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the remover.

5. Remove the wheel speed sensor harness from the upper arm.





6. Make reference marks (A) across the inboard joint (B) and the rear differential (C).





7. Remove the six inboard joint mounting bolts (D) and nuts (E), then remove the inboard joint from the rear differential.
8. Drain the differential fluid.
9. Remove the propeller shaft.
10. Remove the rear suspension stiffener (A).





11. Remove the evaporative emission (EVAP) canister cover.





12. Place a transmission jack under the rear differential.
13. '00-05 models: Remove the four differential mount bracket B mounting nuts.
'06-08 models: Remove the four differential mount bracket B mounting nuts. Then remove the differential breather box.





14. Remove the four differential mount bracket A mounting bolts.





15. Lower the rear differential on the transmission jack.





16. Remove right and left differential mount bracket A from the differential.