pulling the front diff
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Duhockey
Senior Member
1. Remove the Tires
2. undo the 4 bolts in each balljoint
3. knock the axle back thru the wheelbearing
4. use a 3lb sledge and a chisel or something similar and knock the axles out of the diff.
(spin the axle a 1/5 a turn after every few strikes to get the C-clip to release)
5. Undo all 4 bolts on the driveshaft/flange just above the steering rack, those are circled in Green, you will need to put a wrench on the back to hold the bolt.
6. there are a few vacuum hoses on 96-98 models for the vacuum power ADD, undo those from either the top side kinda by the battery, or down at the diff. those are in Yellow.
7. there is a plug that tells the actuator when to move the collar, unplug that That is in blue
8. there are 3 bolts, 2 right up front that you cant miss, and then one hex key in the crossmember right near the steering rack. those are circled/arrowed in Red.
tada, you have the diff released and it will mostly fall out... make sure not to drop it.
Ill add some pics here shortly
EDIT: Keep in mind the diff is on its back right here, the two main diff bolts are right in front when you take off your skid, you cant miss them.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pTKsd8o2i-L-qEFzo63-I9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4ZwUOnnRWYg/T4a9YyG-tLI/AAAAAAAAEjY/wlpotNvDlnU/s800/diff%2520edit%2520pic.jpg" height="540" width="720" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/106779729868072622389/4runnerBuild?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">4runner Build</a></td></tr></table>
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Baja Runner
Member
The hex is a weird size if I remember, or no? Its been so long. I think it wsa a 12 or 13 mm?
scottyb
New member
It's a 12mm. Just did it 2 days ago
TRD 2.0
Junior Member
i know this is an old post, but I'm having difficulty getting my front differential out. I've got it plenty loose, and both axles removed. The hex bolt seems to hold it too high against the cross member and then the drive shaft flange hangs up on the edge of the transmission/bell housing. The flange is also hitting part of the rack/pinion that the lines come into, so I might possibly have to unbolt the rack and pinion to let the flange by. Anybody have any tips for me. I'm getting a bit frustrated. Thanks!
Bfaulken
New member
I had the same issue when I swapped mine this week. If you look up above that hex bolt, there are 2 bolts that hold that piece to the diff. They are EXTREMELY difficult to reach (at least for me). It takes a while wrenching about an 8th of a turn at a time, but get those 2 bolts out, then you can maneuver the diff out around that piece. I don't have a pic but I think one is upside down and one is right side up. Getting those bolts back in is an even bigger pain though. Good luck!
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When I pulled my extra front diff out of a 4Runner at a salvage yard I used their big rolling hoist to lift up on the motor a bit. I was able to buy a little more clearance this way due to the movement/flex in the motor mounts. Remember I was at the salvage yard and was not 100% concerned about damaging the motor mounts on the donor vehicle so use caution if you go this route. I too struggled with the threaded stud in the rear not coming out of the crossmember far enough for removal.
Doc2012
Senior Member
Something I found that helped me out, was placing a jack under the diff and raising it.
It takes a little bit to get it in the right position, but I've never had a problem getting that stud in the back high enough.
The flange on the bell housing and steering rack, that's a different story.
To make it real easy, install an engine lift. It's AMAZING.
It takes a little bit to get it in the right position, but I've never had a problem getting that stud in the back high enough.
The flange on the bell housing and steering rack, that's a different story.
To make it real easy, install an engine lift. It's AMAZING.
TRD 2.0
Junior Member
finally got it
I figured out what was giving me the most trouble was the vacuum lines on the top of the diff towards the front were hanging up on the power steering lines coming to the rack and pinion. It's such tight clearance for the diff to come out. But the good news is, I just got everything buttoned back up, new oil pump, new timing belt with idler and tension pulleys.
by the way Doc, Semper FI
I was in the Corps from '99-'05
I figured out what was giving me the most trouble was the vacuum lines on the top of the diff towards the front were hanging up on the power steering lines coming to the rack and pinion. It's such tight clearance for the diff to come out. But the good news is, I just got everything buttoned back up, new oil pump, new timing belt with idler and tension pulleys.
by the way Doc, Semper FI
I was in the Corps from '99-'05
blackrunner17
New member
Helpful Hint
Sorry to bring an old thread back from the dead... But I just swapped out my oil pan in my '99 Limited and had to give my two cents.
Remove the arm on the passenger side of the differential. Once I did that it allowed us to twist it just right (without dinging up the oil pan and everything else under there).
To put it back, just jack it up w/ a hydraulic jack until it almost hits the oil pan, then basically just bench press it into place. Easier said than done, but I'm guessing if you're tackling this you understand the diff is damn heavy!
Big thanks to all the threads on here that helped me out along the way - the pics were lifesavers.
Sorry to bring an old thread back from the dead... But I just swapped out my oil pan in my '99 Limited and had to give my two cents.
Remove the arm on the passenger side of the differential. Once I did that it allowed us to twist it just right (without dinging up the oil pan and everything else under there).
To put it back, just jack it up w/ a hydraulic jack until it almost hits the oil pan, then basically just bench press it into place. Easier said than done, but I'm guessing if you're tackling this you understand the diff is damn heavy!
Big thanks to all the threads on here that helped me out along the way - the pics were lifesavers.
Myrunr2010
New member
I know this post is a bit old, but i will second what [MENTION=80922]Bfaulken[/MENTION] said for anyone else trying to research to do this. I tried all sorts of different ways of working the diff out over the course of probably an hour and a half to two hours, tried to jack the trans/motor up a little bit as suggested, that didn't work. As soon as i took these two bolts out that hold the mount, the diff did literally fall out. I had it pushed as far forward and towards the drivers side as i could get it, once i did that the bolts were very easy to get to. They are 17mm.
D Farms
New member
Mine was a real pain to swap in, we had to jack up the transmission to get it over. then the other day I was looking at my transmission and i dont know how the mount normally looks but it seems as if that bushing has deteriorated. this was why it was so difficult to remove the diff.
Hi, everyone
The carrier bearing is going out on mine on the passenger side. I tried to get the cv axle out and it is stuck bad. Is there and tips you guys might have for me on this. The local shop said they had to pull the front diff and take it apart to take the clip out. In the picture the cv axle is stuck in the right side sleeve. https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pTKsd8o2i-L-qEFzo63-I9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite
The carrier bearing is going out on mine on the passenger side. I tried to get the cv axle out and it is stuck bad. Is there and tips you guys might have for me on this. The local shop said they had to pull the front diff and take it apart to take the clip out. In the picture the cv axle is stuck in the right side sleeve. https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pTKsd8o2i-L-qEFzo63-I9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite
marshallnoise
New member
Nice write up.
When you are driving the screwdriver make sure to rotate the CV 90 degrees and try again or use a screwdriver / wedge 180 degrees apart on the CV. A chain wouldn't work at all. It take a sharp blow to pop the clip out. Don't be afraid to give your screwdriver / wedge a good pop with a hammer.
Myrunr2010
New member
I used a 4foot "gorilla bar", and then pushed on that with my feet. It did not come easy.
