D44 disassembly question

[olin18]

I have my "New to me" D44 almost compleatly taken apart. But I CAN NOT get the differentia case out? Is there a trick to getting this thing out. I took off the straps on both sides, the axel shafts are pulled. But I just can not get the diff case out.
Is there some special tool needed for this? Or can I get it out at home?
I supposed I could leave it in there, and have it taken out when the new ARB and R&P go in. But I have to pay that guy, and my time is Free to me, so if I can get it out I would like to. Thanks for any help.

[River Beast]

Usually a case spreader is used... but you can carefully pry it out using a pry bar.... using rags as buffers so you don't marr the ring gear.

they are a tight press fit... but will come out....

good luck

PS don't be too gentle with it.... and um./... pry on the carrier not the ring....heheh oops

[ February 04, 2003, 06:09 AM: Message edited by: River Beast ]

[olin18]

Hmmm A case spreader... that would be nice... Has anyone every tried to use a Highlift Jack. Maybe I will try that tonight?
I was kind of hoping that there was some trick I was missing. I tried to pry it out, I guess I have to try harder. I am not even real concerned with the Ring gear or carrier. They will not be reused.
Does anyone have a trick that they have used that has worked for them in the past.
If I can't get it out tonight I think I will just leave it there. And have the guy doing to R&P pull it for me. He probably has a spreader.

[scotty]

usually i use 2 big pry bars,with the carrier perpindicular to the housing(the diffs cross shaft parallel to the pinion)

put the prybars on either side of the carrier,next to the spider gear,using the top and bottom of the housing for leverage.

just dont let it fall on your foot smile.gif

i have also held the diff from moving with a pry bar,and had a frined turn the pinion with a BIG breakerbar. this action will also pop the diff out

i do not think you can use your high lift as a case spreader. it will put pressure in 2 spots(instead of the whole housing) that will likely crack/break the housing. a case spreader is very specially designed to put pressure evenly.

also,id think that setting up a diff would include removing the olld diff. it shouldnt be more than an extra 5 minutes of his time to pop it out for you.

[ February 04, 2003, 07:12 AM: Message edited by: scotty ]

[olin18]

Thanks for the helpful information. This is the first time I have done an axel build and any help is great.

If we are talking about 5-10 for the pro to get the old carrier out... Then Heck, I will let him do it. It is better than me cracking the case, or busting my face with a breaker bar/ or pry bar.
I will just move on to cleaning up the axle, and leave the old carrier in there for now.

Thanks again for the help.

[mechanic58]

It'll come outta there...you can't hurt it. Give it a good pry.

[netbear]

Don't use the high lift jack on the housing. Even
with the case spreader, you are only supposed to
spread them about .015". This is enough to remove
or insert everything without a lot of hassle. Use
a dial indicator to measure spread. The housings
can be spread too much and won't spring back
correctly. I would just leave the assy in there
for your diff guy as the current shim set up
left and right will be a good starting point
for the new assy. I use a copy of the Spicer/Dana service manual for reference when working on the
axles. It has more detail than the Jeep TSM or
other general service manuals.

[nxcj]

Another vote for "leave 'em in there". Your set-up guy will want to use the existing set up info as a starting point. i.e.: he'll read the +/- info on the pinion nose and check the thickness of the shim packs on the carrier.

I'd just blast a few cans of "Brakleen" through it and then hand it over to him......

One more thing...put the bearing caps on exactly how you took them off (if it's not too late). It's not the end of the world, but they like to stay on the same side, with the same end up...

Using a punch, I mark mine with one and two (first and second) dots on the "up" side so anyone in the future will know...

[ February 05, 2003, 11:41 AM: Message edited by: nxcj ]

[olin18]

Well that does it. They will stay in there. Unfortunatly the caps are off. And I would just be guessing as to what ones go on each side. Bummer.
Thanks for all the help eveyone. This board is a gold mine for taking on a project you have never done before. I look forward to when I can give advise on axel building. And I have all of you to thank for it.