[Supras] Quick diff question and short story.

[Hacker J]

I've done the on-car axle removal several times. To do it I took a small slide-hammer (like this
one or equivalent http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38878) and
modified it.

Because space is tight, the length of this shaft needs to be cut down.  For me, the simplest
approach was to buy a long (14inch) threaded bolt at the hardware store to use as the shaft
instead of the 24inch one that came with the slide hammer. To connect the hammer to the axle
flange, I used the plate from a steering wheel puller (like this one
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=37824 )

A couple of blows and the axle pops right out.  The next challenge is to get the seal out.  I used
the same slide hammer setup, but switched over to the three-finger gismo to grab the seal. Again,
the short shaft slide-hammer makes this a pretty easy job.

Problem I had with this repair was that it still leaked after I replaced the seal.  Problem was
due to a barely visible groove worn in the half-shaft that prevented even a new seal from sealing.
To see my solution to that you can read this thread here (or buy a new half-shaft).

http://www.supramania.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41543

Getting the seal back in is not easy while under the car. You need to remove the chassis brace
near the axle, and find a seal driver that is slightly smaller than the actual seal as it is
recessed deep into the diff , and is very easy to get cocked due to its large diameter.

Jon
90T







> Guys,
>  
> Anyone know how to get the side gear shaft out (with the diff in car),
> without using the sst? (HYPERLINK
> "http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Library/TSRM/MK3/manual.aspx?S=RA&P=26"http:/
> /www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Library/TSRM/MK3/manual.aspx?S=RA&P=26).  I blew a
> seal ;)
>  
> FYI, as you may or may not know, I store my car in my garage for the winter.
> (Burlington, Ontario, Canada).  Today I wanted some space behind the car to
> work on something else, so I was just going to put the front wheels on the
> driveway.  Hop in, start it up, drop the brake, pop the clutch, stall the
> engine.  WTF?  The car won't budge!!  Damn, e-brake cables must be seized.
> Jack the back end up; look.  Nope cables are sliding fine.  Back wheels
> STILL won't turn.  Damn, did I seize the diff b/c I was low on fluid b/c of
> the leak? (see first paragraph).  Both back wheels only turn about 10
> degrees, then stop with a clunk, and are DEAD stopped with the e-brake up.
> OK, I'll drop the diff.  But first, I took off the side gear shaft where I
> have to replace the seal.  Does the wheel turn now?  Nope!  So it's GOTTA be
> e-brake.  Sure enough, the e-brake pads rusted to the inside the of hubs,
> and broke from the backing.  So it would turn until the pad stuck to the
> drum hit the OTHER shoe!
>  
> Anyway, BOTH sides failed exactly the same way at the same time.  *Some*
> people I talked to think that's a bit freaky.  (I happen to think that after
> 7 years of storing it for the winter, it just didn't want to go out in the
> snow!!!!)   And yeah, my fault for storing the car the car with the e-brake
> up.  Habit.  Since the car has a remote start, I leave it out of gear with
> the e-brake up.  The car won't autostart without the e-brake up, but WILL
> start if it's in gear.  Haven't figured a way around that (that actually
> works).
>  
> Anyway, your Saturday night entertainment story! :)  And if you know how to
> get the side gear shaft off, let me know!
>  
> Thanks,
>  
> Eric
> 91T.


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