Here i am i'm a welder by trade but all around general gear head. Me being a complete fool trying to get things done. I went to change my front diff fluid, no drain plug so i proceed to ATTEMPT to take the front diff cover off of my 2001 ford ranger. long and behold theres some bolts that are impossible to get to. I managed to drain the fluid and get fluid back in it, and seal it, well i stripped a hole!!!! Now i need some help too ignorant and i take way too much pride in my truck to take it to a shop. I need to drop the front axle to repair the hole. Can someone help me with how to do this the proper way?? Thanks everyone!!!

 

remove both tires
pop the upper ball joints on each spindle.
disconnect the driveshaft
remove the front right caliper
disconnect the right side shock from the LCA

next is to pull out the CVs they are clipped in and after some effort you can pry and then slide the Passanger CV out all the way and leave it.

on the drivers side you can pop the CV loose but it wont come all the way out of the diff becuse of clearance. this is ok. if you have a friend invite him over cause you will need help.

the diff is bolted up in 3 places. 2 above the diff and one on the driverside which is like 3bolts in the side of the diff and one on the frame.(some type of bracket)

as you are wiggling the diff out have a buddy slide the rest of driverside CV out. the diff should come out now. its HEAVY so becareful.

from there you should beable to fix what you need.

btw most use a pump to get the old oil out

 

You can also remove the LCAs and differential hanger brackets after you pull the wheels and the steering knuckles and just drop the whole differential assembly and that should give you enough room to work. I'd suggest going with Zach's method too... less work and probably quicker. That is the way I did mine when I was installing my superlift kit. I just went ahead and changed it out while I had the diff down and accessible.

 

after my method is done a few times with air tools i have no doubt that the front diff can be dropped in 30min or less.

When I changed the gears in the front diff of my truck, Scott helped me with that method and 20 min after the truck was on jackstands, the diff was laying on the floor.

 

Damn well you surely have me beat...

I need some F@&*#ing air tools.

 

Something is still leaking on my front diff and i cant figure out what it is....

I already replaced my axle / pinion seals.....I think its my gasket or something...


Rocky

 

I've got a full front axle assembly for sale in great condition!

 

thanks to all of you it was a breeze, no more leaks f'n awesome. Thanks again now its time for some suspension lift!!

 

sweet glad it worked.

 

hehe ya iv done it a few times

 

see what happend wasn't like i really meant to but i wanted to check the inside to make sure there was no shavings or anything gotta get it ready for a nice new york winter don't want disaster to happen lol thanks again