Differential removal(EDIT: FINALLY OUT!!)

[Regal_GS_1989]

Alright, i finally started working on my cutlass today, and hit a bit of a snag. I cant figure out how to remove this bracket for the life of me.

 

 

The black metal one in front of the diff housing. It appeared as if there was only 4 bolts, but i still cant move it.

Has anyone ever removed this before, and if so, how?

 

TIA

 

 

 

[5speedz34]

It's bolted to the engine and then to a mount that bolts to the cradle.

 

See the studs on the lower left hand side of it?

[Mach5Gus]

That's the hardest part of the job. You have to lift the engine to get the bracket off the studs in the lower left of the pic. Use a block of wood, preferably something wide like a 2x6, on the oil pan. HTH!

[Regal_GS_1989]

Thanks alot Im gonna try that come morning. I really want to get this thing on the road[br]Posted on: April 22, 2006, 02:07:05 AM_________________________________________________Well, I jacked up the engine, and it still wont come out. How many bolts are used to hold this thing on, and where are they located?? So far, i have only found 4 bolts that hold that thing on, yet i still cant move it. [br]Posted on: April 22, 2006, 09:35:20 AM_________________________________________________I FINALLY GOT IT OFF!!!! I got the thing loose, and i still couldnt get it out. I had to remove another bracket to get it out. Just that to get that bracked off, i had to pull the alternator too. I was cursing the whole time trying to figure out the alternator, but at least i found a few tricks for getting it off.

[joey b]

3.73's? Once you get to the point you are now can anybody tell me how much harder it is to change it to 3.73 on the 3.4 tranny?

[Regal_GS_1989]

Actually, If i had to do it all again, i could probably have it all done in one day. The biggest set backs that i had were trying to figure out how to get that bracket out, and trying to figure out how to remove the alternator. Basically, if you know how to remove the alt, thats the hardest part of the job. Once you get the alt out of the way, than you can just unbolt the bracket and it will fall right out than theres 4 bolts on the differential housing, and the speed sensor wire, and thats it, the housing comes off. Once the housing if off, there is only a C clip that is holding the diff on the output shaft, remove that, and it will pull straight out the side. Its no harder to change the FDR, as that just requires installing a 3.73 FDR diff, and possibly the sun gear that is behind it. The only real trouble that i encountered installing the new diff was that the center shaft can move back and fourth a little bit, and i had to play around with it a bit to expose the groove for the C clip. Installation is the reverse of the removal. Of course, you'll have to get the computer reprogrammed to compinsate for the ratio change.

[White93z34]

so that was all that was wrong with your cutlass? if so you got it for a steal.

[Regal_GS_1989]

so that was all that was wrong with your cutlass? if so you got it for a steal.

Yup. So far, all of the parts i have put into it, (Diff, Diff housing, Trans Fluid and filter and Spark Plugs) Have cost me around 290$. So for under 800$, i have a safetied certified, running, driving car. And it seems to run and drive really good too. Just gotta fix the cruise, and get the climate control to switch the vents. I thiink i remember seeing the vacuum ball disconnected while i was under there, so i'll check that out.