Front Differential mounts.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: North Pole, AK
Front Differential mounts.
Hi everyone. I was getting a loud clunk when putting the van into reverse so I put on a lift and discovered the front diff is somewhat loose. I can turn the front driveshaft and watch the differential move around. It would appear the mount by the pinion is completely shot. Anyone have any insight into swaping these out. I would prefer to change all three but if that is too tough than maybe just the mount by the pinion. Thanks!
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 4
From: PNW
I dropped the front axle to replace the seals on my 95. Unfortunately, that was so long ago, that I don't remember too many details. I assume you'd have to drop the axle to change the mounts. I do remember that dropping the axle wasn't that difficult. There was a nut / bolt up above the axle that was somewhat tough to see, but once you figure out where it is, you can get a wrench on it. Also, when disconnecting the CV shaft from the axle flanges, it helps to loosen the pinch bolt on the upper ball joint stem and get the stem out of the steering knuckle. That way, when you remove the bolts from the CV axle flange, you can rotate the steering knuckle outward to give some clearance between the CV flange and the axle flange.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,016
Likes: 209
From: SoCal
There are actually 2 of those isolator attaching things near the pinion of the front differential. There is a small bracket that always breaks because of how it's stressed:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...gH0HsWKuDC5HQA
I welded mine up a few years ago, and it seems to have held.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...iVEqf4_kAUgjtA
Also, sometimes those studs start to rotate inside the rubber part, making it difficult to completely tighten them, or loosen them.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...gH0HsWKuDC5HQA
I welded mine up a few years ago, and it seems to have held.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...iVEqf4_kAUgjtA
Also, sometimes those studs start to rotate inside the rubber part, making it difficult to completely tighten them, or loosen them.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,016
Likes: 209
From: SoCal
Somehow, the first link went to the wrong picture. This should be correct:
https://picasaweb.google.com/eycchu/...61809717864130
Or you can just search through my Aerostar album:
https://picasaweb.google.com/eycchu/Aerostar#
https://picasaweb.google.com/eycchu/...61809717864130
Or you can just search through my Aerostar album:
https://picasaweb.google.com/eycchu/Aerostar#
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