to change a diff on a 3 door how long to do for lets say a novice type person(me )any thing dodgey to look out for

 

 

sorry mate cant help!! never done it b4!!

 

The torx bolts that hold the drive shafts to the diff are a bugger!

Make sure you clean them out thouroughly, use plenty of penetrating fluid and the correct size torx bit. I usually stick something like a tyre lever under the torx bit as i am turning it to keep it square in the bolt.

 

Will be a lot easier if you take the rear beam off altogether. If you haven't got a lift then access is a pain in the arse. Happy spannering!

 

Its about a 2 hour job in and out but watch it doesn't fall out on your head

 

mate of mine has will keep that in mind when my mate is under neath

 

Someone ask how to do a Sapphire Cossie 2wd diff and this was my reply, hope it helps:

Jack rear of the car up, undo the driveshafs (T50 hex shaped), easiest way Ive found is to undo the handbrake and take car out of gear spinning the wheels to access all the bolts, but putting handbrake back on if you have no one to hold the wheel in place while undoing them!

Once all 12 (IIRC) driveshaft bolts are undone and they are moved out the way undo the prop shaft in same way to access the 4 bolts (15mm bolts). Then undo the two top 19mm (IIRC) bolts first as these can thread when trying to get the diff back in if not lined up correctly, so take no chances!

Then support diff with a jack and undo the 4 13mm bolts holding the back plate to the chassis and remove the black bump stop thing (Slides into place on the chassis (IIRC). Then undo the centre nut and 2 front boltsand remove the 2 front ones! Then remove the long bolt (Exhaust may get in the way, depending which way the bolt is placed) and the diff should be free unless Ive missed something

It may need a bit of persuassion (Sp??) to remove it and get the rear mount over the rear ARB, but it should lower down

 

Spadge,
You must be having LOADS of cups of tea in that 2 hours, as it should be 30-40 mins out and 30-40 mins in IF all the bolts come undone okay . Is best done with two peeps (or a jack) once you get to the point of dropping it down / putting it back, as it is awkward to man-handle in a confined space if you are doing it on axle stands.

There is also an order to do things too - undo the drive shafts FIRST or you won't be able to use the gearbox to stop the diff from rotating (and believe me, you WILL need the leverage to undo these!).