I haven't had any luck on the Corvette Forum with this question so I thought I'd come to the real pros! (71 small block coupe) Is it possible to remove the rear differential cover without dropping the rear differential? What would the procedure be while the body in on the frame? Thank you Gentlemen!
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Re: Removal of Rear Differential Cover Procedure
I tried that way once, it was a pain in the REAR (sorry) & I made a friggen mess. I find it much easier to just yank the pumpkin.
Rich -
Re: Removal of Rear Differential Cover Procedure
Rick-----
In any practical sense, it's not possible to remove the differential rear cover without removing the complete differential assembly. Keep in mind that the rear attachment for the differential assembly is accomplished throgh the crossmember-to-cover bolts. So, IF you were to remove the cover, the only thing that you would have holding the rest of the differential assembly in the car would be the front mount, driveshaft, and half-shafts. This would not hold the differential in place without it partially "dropping". That would complicate re-installation, at the least.
Beyond the above, in order to remove the cover alone, you would have to get at the 4 crossmember-to-cover bolts. These can only be accessed from the top. To get at them with the crossmember still in the car would require cutting a hole in the rear floorboard (believe it or not, some folks do this). Then, you would have to remove all of the cover-to-case bolts. Several of these are extremely hard to get at with the unit in the car.
So, the short of it is that it's a LOT more trouble to try to remove the cover, alone, than it is to just remove the complete differential assembly.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Removal of Rear Differential Cover Procedure
Once the spring, strut rod bracket, and halfshafts are removed, disconnect the front bracket to frame bolt, then support the carrier with a jack and remove the diff. cross member to frame bolts, then lower the axle/crossmember assy.
The cross member to frame mounts may require a little persuasion with a pry bar and silicone spray to pop off.
Treat the frame sombreros to a good cleaning and painting, and use a very thin film of silicone dielectric grease on the rubber mounts. The next time they should separate with little if any persuasion.
DukeComment
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Re: Removal of Rear Differential Cover Procedure
Also, you might want to remove the rear sections of the exhaust pipes and the tire carrier. You will have a whole lot more room to work that way. I pulled my differencial two days ago to have it worked on - on my 71 coupe. Good time to clean up a few things while its out.
Duke, I put chassie grease on the sombreros the last time I dropped it, and still had to fight it. I will try the silicone dielectic grease this time. Hopefully, this will be the last time for a long while.
ChasmanComment
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Re: Removal of Rear Differential Cover Procedure
Some rubber compounds are attacked by petroleum products (for example, the front diff. mount cushions will be deteriorated by pinion seal leaks), which is why you should use silicone grease. An alternative would be to wipe them down well with silicone spray lub.
Yes, I forgot to mentioning removing the rear exhaust section.
DukeComment
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Re: Removal of Rear Differential Cover Procedure
Does this all apply to a 67 as well? I need to replace my differential cover and was wondering how big of a job that is? If anyone has anything to add that would help i would appreciate it. Thanks againComment
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Re: Removal of Rear Differential Cover Procedure
Dave-----
The cover removal procedure described previously and recommending the removal of the complete differential assembly in order to replace the cover applies equally to all 1963 to 1979 Corvettes.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Removal of Rear Differential Cover Procedure
Not too bad of a job. It will be a whole lot easier if you get your floor jack ready by removing the cup and attaching a steel plate (3x8)with two holes drilled in it to allow a 9/16" bolt to pass thruogh it and screw into the differencial. I took a 3/4" board the same size as the steel plate, used a Foster bit to make a shoulder to counter sink the bolt that holds the plate to the jack, so the top serface will be totally flat. Once the cam bracket is removed. you can get your measurments for the diff bolt hole pattern. When you are ready to drop the diff mounting bracket, slide the jack under it and raise it enought to screw in to the diff houseing. Make sure you keep the valve on the jack closed tight so it stayes in the up possition. Then undo the last two bolts and pry the bracket from the sombreros. I like to undo the bolts, but now all the way. Once you have total seperation, pump the jack once or twice, then remove the two bolts. The diff will be well balanced and you lower it and pull it out from under your car.
Good luck
ChasmanComment
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