It would be tricky trying to do it underneath the car, with everything wanting to flop downard. The front output shaft, the rear output shaft, the two shifter rods. And you'd have to be very careful cracking the cover off and sliding it back - make sure that rear output shaft does NOT slide back. But yeah, the rear case cover/bearing support does slide off. I just had a couple of them completely disassembled while doing a doubler setup. And then you have to get the sealing surfaces BONE DRY while oil seeps out of the case so you can FIPG it back together without it leaking afterward.
I guess I'd characterize it as being a bit risky in terms of things going wrong. If that rear output slides out, you're into a world of very finicky reassembly. Replacing the whole case as a unit is more work, but not a WHOLE lot more, and I'd say it's lower 'risk'. Less chance of it going sideways and you ending up with a pile of parts.
I guess if you wanted to try replacing the cover, just give it a go with your new donor case. take the cover off on the bench and give it a practice run putting it back on, see how it goes. If it goes well, go ahead and take the broken one off.
I guess I'd characterize it as being a bit risky in terms of things going wrong. If that rear output slides out, you're into a world of very finicky reassembly. Replacing the whole case as a unit is more work, but not a WHOLE lot more, and I'd say it's lower 'risk'. Less chance of it going sideways and you ending up with a pile of parts.
I guess if you wanted to try replacing the cover, just give it a go with your new donor case. take the cover off on the bench and give it a practice run putting it back on, see how it goes. If it goes well, go ahead and take the broken one off.
