How to get the carrier out of a D60?

[pismorat]

I have removed the bearing caps and the carrier will not come out. Is there something else that needs to be done? I have tapped it with a dead blow to try and shock it loose, but nothing is working...

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Are the shafts out?

 

[Zeus33rd]

Without a case spreader it's gonna be a bitch. When I put the detroit in mine, I had to wrap a chain around the old carrier and yank it out with a tractor. Even then it made the tractor peal out and ride wheelies. Small 3 cylinder 40hp diesel John Deere 4x4. When it finally came out, it came out with a loud bang and shot straight out a good 5 feet in front of the truck. Redneck style, but it worked.

 

[HOPPER]

I put a socket on the ring gear bolt with a breaker bar, wedged the breaker bar against the housing, Then I rotated the pinion with a pipe wrench and the pinion drove the ring gear out.

 

[Ned Kelly]

When I changed my inner axle seals, I used some 18" prybars and alittle wiggling. Well, alot of wiggling. Just move one side a hair, then the othe side a hair, and it will eventually come out. It took me about 5 minutes. Put it back in myself also. I've done it twice on my own, but it is easier if you have a friend to help.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

If the shafts are out the carrier should come out.


I usually use a pry bar to get the carrier out.

You can also put a rag in between the ring and pinion and turn the pinion via the pinion nut.


I've done 20+ diffs and never had to use a case spreader

 

[GotBoykins]

I used pry bars, big brass hammer to beat on the gears and a mallet. It took about 10 minutes of beating for it to come out.

 

[6.2Blazer]

Most of the time I just use two prybars against the ring gear bolts and wiggle the carrier out. The carrier bearings have a certain amount of preload on them which makes it a very tight fit.

However, the last time I had my front 60 apart I could not get the carrier out by normal means. I eventually tried an old trick of throwing a handful of shop rags in the diff so they wedge between the pinion and ring gear, then turn the pinion. This worked fairly easy.....but as mentioned it's helpful to have another set of hands to hold the carrier so it doesn't fall on the ground.

 

[blazinzuk]

I put a socket on the ring gear bolt with a breaker bar, wedged the breaker bar against the housing, Then I rotated the pinion with a pipe wrench and the pinion drove the ring gear out.

this is the best way to do it. I have only had one 60 where I had to do this but several Dana 35s that I had to do this way, quick and easy.

 

[Zeus33rd]

Geez...I wish mine had been as easy as you guys described. I resorted to the John Deere method only after about 6 hours of trying everything else I could think of. Prybars, rags, etc. My 60 was out of an '84 cucv with only 60k miles too..

 

[MTBLAZER89]

OK related question. If it takes this much work to get it out. How do you get it back in?

 

[pismorat]

I got it out using an old pair of jean shorts between the gears...now to get the roll/spring pin out and then install the locker. I think I may throw the carrier in a bag and freeze it for an hour or so before I install to make it easier.

 

[blazinzuk]

OK related question. If it takes this much work to get it out. How do you get it back in?

When I do them I get the backlash right then add small shim on both sides to add some carrier bearing preload and then (with no customers around) beat it back in but with a brass hammer, doesn't hurt anything except leave a bit of gold on the ring gear and carrier. I have never had problems with one. Oh and when you are done clean it out really well I know brass is a softer metal and probably wouldn't hurt anything but I don't like anything being in a brand new diff except for gear oil

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Yep, when I setup gears I subtract ~.004-.005 from the total shim pack, get the pattern right and then add ~.002" to each side (for pinion bearing preload).

Upon final assembly, you shouldn't be able to install the carrier by hand but you should have to tap it in with a (soft) hammer.

 

[MTBLAZER89]

Ok cool. I shouldnt have to re set up gears. I am just gonna pop mine out and do the inner seals while it's out.