Changing the rear diff carrier bearings and seals

[Zedyone_kenobi]

If I pull the half shafts off the diff, can I take out and replace the bearings and seals with the diff still on the car. I have play in my bearings on both sides, and before I swap out the entire diff, I want to make sure its not something far more benign.

[jmortensen]

I am not trying to insult, but I honestly don't think you understand what you're doing inside a diff, based on your other post where you were checking backlash at the pinion and then at the side flange. I would suggest you take your diff to a shop that specializes in rear ends and transmissions and ask them to see if they think there is play in the bearings.

I think you have play in the side gears which is absolutely necessary to keep them from burning up and your bearings are fine. I would also suspect that your backlash is absolutely fine. I think you're wasting money, time and effort where you don't need to.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

You would not be insulting! You would speaking a great deal of truth.

I replaced a ring and pinion in a Chevy 10 bolt once, and I completely did not enjoy that. As it took many tries to get mesh patter just in the right place. And it still whined when I was done. That was 15 years ago. I sort of swore off diff work since then.

I would never try to do any work inside my diff. I was under the impression I could replace the seals going out to the half shafts from the outside. I have never worked on an R180, this is true. I suppose I should just tear into my spare sitting on my bench before I bug the people here. I wish I could come to the same conclusion on the condition of my diff.

But when I turn the drive shaft by hand, I can see the halfshafts move backward before they even try to turn.

In the end, I need to do just what your saying. Take my car to a shop that specializes in Z's. Until then, I simply will not be able to diagnose this problem without randomly replacing parts, which can get expensive and time consuming.

[jmortensen]

Replacing the side seals is super easy. Replacing the carrier bearings is also relatively easy, you just need a press and a bearing splitter, and to put the shims back on the correct side to keep backlash the same.

There is no carrier bearing issue that would cause the halfshaft to turn backwards when the pinion is spun, so if that is your only reason for getting into the carrier bearings, I think that's where you're going wrong.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

THey are not TURNING backwards, They move LATERALLY, straight back toward the back of the car. Again, it does come down to taking it into a shop that will do more than sit back and wiggle things like I have done. Its time to let a professional take a look.

I will post to let everybody know what I found.