rear differential removal on 71

[Ralph A.]

I have been trying to figure out how to remove my differential from the car. I have the rear compartment completely bare. I have remove the side 1/2 shafts and loosend the 2 bolts on the cross member, disconnected the transmission at the U-joint. What is holding this thing in? I have used a crowbar between the cross member and the frame but do not want to break something.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks
Ralph

[Jim T.]

Re: rear differential removal on 71

Go through the archives on this, there are several posts on the removal of the crossmember. One such post I think I remember is by Joe Lucia. Good luck.

[Ralph A.]

Found the article, thanks for the help *NM*

[Chuck R.]

Re: rear differential removal on 71

Hi Ralph:

Heres what I found out on my very rusty 68

First of all, I removed the differential with the leaf spring still attached.

I started by pulling the half/drive shafts free from differential.

I then took the strain off of one of the spring end link assemblys with my floor jack and pulled the link assemblies apart. I then slowly released the strain from the spring. Same process on the opposite side. Be super careful as there is a major amount of explosive power in those springs!

Next I removed the snubber mount assembly.

Next I removed the four bolts holding the differential up to the crossmember.

With the jack underneath, I dropped the whole assembly to the floor.

Now.... if the two bolts your talking about are the crossmember sombrero mounts, then yes there are just the two bolts.

What I had to do there, was liberally spray the rubber mounts with WD-40 and put constant down pressure on the end of the crossmember with a pinch bar.

My original north country mounts popped free in a matter of a couple of minutes.

After I got the mount free, I immediately wiped the WD-40 from the rubber mounts

Let me know how you make out.

Chuck #32205