Rear Differential Disassembly....

Hey guys,
I need help with my differential. I've been trying to take it apart (needs new bearings), and I can't. The back plate is not bolted on, so how do I remove it to get to the inner ends of the axles, and the carrier in general? (The big "circle" in the center of this differential).
Thanks,
Dom
UPDATE:
I have the bolts for the carrier case all undone, the brake lines are freed, parking brake lines are undone from the car, and the drums are disassembled. The 4 bolt flange behind the front of the drum is unbolted. Everything that seems would prevent the axle from sliding out is out. The axle still won't budge out.
I am almost certain that diff bearings are what failed, but I'll only really know for sure once the thing's open.
Also, I have the whole thing out of my car
Any tips?

 

Read up on what a third member is

 

Look on the other side.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...d-installation-of-e-locker-3rd-member.193828/

 

Hence my reasoning for only buying new...

 

So you just yank on the ends of the axles??

 

There is nothing to yank…axle shafts need to come out far enough to clear the diff. Oncee shafts are removed, you undo the 10 nuts on the diff and remove it.

There are things to remove or free up before the shafts can come out. Brake lines either need to be unthreaded or all of the clamps undone so the lines can stretch. Parking brake cables need to be freed from the leaf springs. ABS cables need to be disconnected. Then the 4 retainer nuts that hold the shaft/wheel bearing to the housing.

What bearing are you trying to replace? If wheel bearings then you don’t need to touch the diff at all. If diff bearings (pinion and carrier), you need to do the process above. For diff bearings you will need some knowledge of differential setup. For axle wheel bearings you need a press and a special Toyota axle puller to pull off the old bearings.

Respectfully, so far the questions lead me to believe you might be a bit in over your head.

 

Some of the bearings need a press and other tools to remove and install FYI.

not a dig, but since you’re attempting to enter the diff on the wrong side, I figured you may not be familiar with the other whole process.

 

I have the bolts for the carrier case all undone, the brake lines are freed, parking brake lines are undone from the car, and the drums are disassembled. The 4 bolt flange behind the front of the drum is unbolted. Everything that seems would prevent the axle from sliding out is out. The axle still won't budge out.
I am almost certain that diff bearings are what failed, but I'll only really know for sure once the thing's open.
Also, I have the whole thing out of my car
Any tips?

 

Mine came right out when I did my regear. Maybe use an axle puller slide hammer kit. Should be able to rent from parts store, in the US anyways. I'm not sure where you are.



But yes, once the 4 nuts are removed, there is nothing holding the shafts in.

If you are working on the differential bearings, you'll probably want a clamshell puller.

 

You should edit your first post and add your above reply. Then we know what you have done.

 

I wonder, did you try pulling the axles before loosening the differential bolts? If the diff is hanging off the housing it may be putting enough pressure on the axles to prevent them from coming out.

 

This.

 

I'll try that, it only slides out about 1/2 inch though.

 

That could be enough to bind the shaft. I didn’t realize you were trying to pull the diff before the axle shafts were freed.

 

Yeah after looking at diagrams the axles probably kept the diff locked on. XD

 

Picture is worth a lot more than words on this one. Post up some pics of what you have done so far.

 

Can you also tell us some more about the original symptoms and what lead you down the path to disassembling your rear axle assy? Internal differential bearings almost never go bad... What year truck and how many miles?

 

While on the highway, the car suddenly felt "heavier" (it deaccelerated really easily when I let off the gas, like it was being weighed down). Also, the rear end had a terrible whine/shriek and vibration. Overall a horrible driving experience.

I was able to open up the carrier btw, thanks guys. Now I need a new pinion bearing.

 

Thanks for the advice . Rented one and it did the trick! Now to press out the pinion shaft...