Diff removal help please

[Gerald-TVR]

First let me see if I'm correct. The diff in a V6 is mounted at the rear by two bolts threough a bracket which in turn is bolted to the chassis by four bolts. The diff is mounted at the top into the cradle by two bolts and the cradle is bolted to the chassis by four bolts via rubber mountings to the chassis. The diff is also bolted to the cradle at the bottom but is this via one long bolt with a captive nut on the offside or two bolts.

All the bolts have been loosened except the bottom bolt(s) as the visable bolt head seems immovable.

First question - will the diff carrier with the diff attached come out of the chassis if i cant shift that bolt?

Second question - how do you suggest I remove the bottom bolt(s)?

[ketvrin]

Gerald-TVR said:

The diff is also bolted to the cradle at the bottom but is this via one long bolt with a captive nut on the offside or two bolts.

All the bolts have been loosened except the bottom bolt(s) as the visable bolt head seems immovable.

First question - will the diff carrier with the diff attached come out of the chassis if i cant shift that bolt?

Second question - how do you suggest I remove the bottom bolt(s)?

Hi Norman - there are two Bolts (the one single long bolt is a 7" diff feature)

Have a look at my photos and you will see that there is a bolt head on the lower front Offside where the head is in a recess... it is tricky to get to because of the chassis... I used a ring spanner IIRC

K

K

[Barkychoc]

Norman try jacking the diff up if you can't get to the offside lower bolt head, it should come up just enough to clear the chassis.

I think the diff had to come out of the carrier to get it out, but even with the bolts out it was stuck solid in the carrier. Lots of swearing, cut knuckles and whacking with a bit rubber mallet persuaded it to come out!

Beware if it drops its pretty heavy.

Chris

[mep12345]

Barkychoc said:

but even with the bolts out it was stuck solid in the carrier. Lots of swearing, cut knuckles and whacking with a bit rubber mallet persuaded it to come out!

Beware if it drops its pretty heavy.Chris

and more skinned knuckles

[Gerald-TVR]

Thanks Guys very helpful

[magpies]

Hi Norman
I can vouch for it being heavy as I watched it drop on my finger
I ended up taking all the fixings out - diff to carrier, carrier to chassis, and the rear diff mount to chassis - all to be able to jack the diff the get at the lower front recessed bolt head (nicely designed so that the chassis is in the way) then used several extension bars to a breaker bar and a scaffold pole. I also needed to remove lots of crud around the bolt head with a small screwdriver to allow the socket to sit deep enough on the head. Then lots of wiggling and hey presto a very sore finger.

[Gerald-TVR]

Mick cant even shift the non recessed bolt as yet

[magpies]

Hi Norman

sorry but this may be obvious but

have you tried soaking the bolt heads in easing oil (plusgas or similar)

give them a squirt every now and again for 24 hrs to give time to penetrate

then its down to how big a scaffold pole can you manage

Mick