It is as easy as unscrewing bolts. Like Mike said, unbolt the front
driveshaft and the two axleshafts, and installation is the reverse of
removal. I really think you could do it even without a wingman... maybe just
an FSM or even a Haynes manual instead.
Mike, I think it's more than eight bolts, but only because I think there's 6
on each axleshaft. But again... I drive old cars and have suggested cutting
access holes in perfectly good late model tailgates. ;-)
The CAD (disconnect) question was directed more at the list.
Don in CT
On Fri, Jan 7, 2011 at 9:58 AM, Andrew Kelsey <ajkelsey@grandroyal.org>wrote:
>
> On 1/7/2011 09:18, Don wrote:
>
>>
>> Andrew,
>> Not sure where your'e located or your mechanical confidence, but it seems
>> you could probably find a junkyard front diff assembly and swap it in
>> yourself for waaaay less than $2500. All you should need for tools is a
>> floor jack, a pair of good jackstands, and a set of wrenches.
>>
>> What year is your truck? Around here recent model Dak "front carrier
>> assemblies" go for $200-350 at the junkyards.
>>
>> PS.... just thinking about this after the fact... do recent Daks have
>> front
>> axle disconnects? With the older vacuum disconnect I'm familiar with, If
>> it
>> only locks up while in 4wd, then the disconnect is probably jamming. On my
>> 89 Dak, the disconnect fork is permenantly jammed in the "engage"
>> position. Problem solved :) YMMV
>>
>> Don in CT
>>
>>
>>
> I consider myself mechanically inclined. I don't have much experience with
> auto mechanics so I lack confidence in doing it. If it is as easy as undoing
> bolts, I would be comfortable doing it with a "wing man" who knows a little
> more than I do. Maybe when the weather gets warmer I will give it a shot.
> How much do I have to lose? It's already busted. :P In the meantime, I'm
> getting new tires. My current ones are shot and are no where near good
> enough for the winter without 4x4.
>
> I assume most of the cost on this work is labor. They are charging $95 an
> hour for labor and they go with book rates for everything.
>
> I don't know if there is a front axle disconnect. It's a 2003 manual
> transmission.
>
> --
> -Andrew Kelsey
> E-mail: ajkelsey@grandroyal.org
>
>
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