Replacing rear diff - things I learned

[lovetoski]

So, I finally replaced my rear diff with a low milage used one from cruiserparts. Mine was heavily worn, lots of slop. Like most repairs I do on my cruisers, I'd never done this before. Putting the replacement diff in was tricky for me in regards to the pinion shaft spacer, the thrust washers, and the c-clips. Getting the spacer in line so that I could push the pinion shaft up through it was especially tough. It kept falling into the back of the carrier, and I'd need to start all over again. When the spacer fell, the top spider gear dropped a bit, and the thrust washer slipped out of place.

Eventually I hit on the perfect tool to put all these pieces in place - my magnetic "wand." (Not sure what else to call it. It has a magnetic piece on the end, and telescopes to different lengths.) I used this to manuver the thrust washer back into place. And, even better, was able to use this to lower the spacer into place, while I pushed the pinion shaft up from the bottom. Because I was "holding" onto the spacer with the magnetic bit, I could move the spacer in and out, until the spacer and shaft lined up. Worked really well.

Tried the same thing with the c-clips, and it was really easy to slide them into place when stuck on to the end of the magnetic wand.

Oh, end result is a much tigher rear end (always a good thing!!!) and my 60 now drives a lot better.

 

[HZJ60 Guy]

Well good for you. Gears are to critical in M.O. to screw around with. I would have had someone who had done it before do it. I hope everthing works out with yours.


TB