I have finally started work on the front diff. I have put the rear diff on the back-burner until I can find the "least expensive option" that is suitable for regular off-road use. As noted, that may involve having a the ring gear-side of the OBX case fabricated with the 7.5" ring gear mount. Or I will go with a Track Finder locker, if I can get one. Either way, the rear diff won't be done anytime soon.

As for the front, I have the diff assembly ready to pull. That is a lot more involved than it sounds - You have to pull the wheels, brake pads and rotors, unbolt the bottom joint on the knuckles (popping out the outer tie rods helps too), swing the knuckle to slide out the CV half-shaft, then pull the shafts out of the axle housing. However, the knuckle (a.k.a "spindle") seals were shot on both wheels, leaving the needle bearings (spindle bearings) corroding in petrified, water-contaminated grease and rust. The passenger side was the worse-off of the two. I didn't even realize it was a bearing until I noticed the black "rocks" I was pulling out of the muck used to be needle bearings. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> And that lead to a panicked-frenzy to find bearings and seals. They arrived today, along with 2 new outer tie rod ends (rubber boots were torn into 2 pieces). I have some photos of the project and will post them soon.

Anyhoo, I was holding off on installing the OBX diff until I was sure I could install the new side bearings. That worked out like a champ using my "poor man's bearing press"... a 3/8" bolt long enough to reach through the OBX case halves (separated into 2 separate pieces) and some steel washers & a plate. I simply lubed the bearing mounts with some grease and wrenched the bearings down (keeping a watchful eye to make sure they went on straight) - it worked great! I'll post some photos of that bit too when I have a chance.

So as it stands, I have the bearings on the OBX diff, the diff housing ready to drop, new parts to install (after I clean out the rust & crud a little better), and the OBX diff to reassemble and swap out with the stock carrier. I hope to get that all done tomorrow. I'll post the results after... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />