Jeep TJ dana 30 differential spreader

[lindsey97]

Good evening all. Finally got my new to me 2002 Jeep wrangler home. I had a pile of parts and have installed the bumpers, Mopar rock rails, and tires. So I tackled the Aussielocker today.

I have installed ARB lockers, and done many gear swaps. Grew up in a shop, so I feel like a fool to ask this. Got the brakes and axles pulled, no problem. Drained the diff and removed the carrier caps and bolts. So the issue is I cannot pry the carrier out of the axle. I got it to move some, but I am stuck, so I called a friend and borrowed a differential spreader. I have never used or seen one, but understand how the spreader works perfectly. The issue is the physical size of the spreader, specifically the height.

My next move is to take my Deere 455g crawler loader and chain the front end so that I can lift the Jeep and get the axle to droop to full extension so I have room for the spreader to fit on the axle face. The track bar and mount is in the way of the spreader. If that doesn't yield enough clearance, then I plan on unbolting the shocks and removing the track bar to create more space and axle droop.

Suggestions? Am I on the right track? I really don't want to remove the entire axle from the Jeep so the spreader can fit unabated just to install a lunchbox locker.

I do have the Jeep on jackstands and am doing everything safely. Just installed my Rockhard stubbie bumper so I have 2 good lifting points.

I will be adding pictures of this fiasco to this thread later.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

No need for a spreader. Place a box-end wrench on a ring gear bolt, place a big screwdriver or pry bar through the pinion yoke. Use the screwdriver/pry bar to rotate the pinion so the ring gear rotates down so the box end wrench levers the carrier out. It works slick, surprisingly well.

 

[Rob5589]

Like Jerry said or use two long pry bars, both on the ring gear side. Place tips under ring gear bolts evenly spaced and pry. Once it gets going you can get a pry bar inside the carrier to finish it off.

Another way is a wrench on a ring gear bolt and turn the yoke.

 

[lindsey97]

Thank you. It's been 15 years since I've done one. I did exactly as you guys suggested, and pryed on the ring gear bolts with 2 snapon 18" prybars, got it to move some.

I really appreciate the advice.