Gears & Axles - Removing Diff.. screw up lash?

I need to remove my diff because I was an Idiot and hit the pin a little to hard inwards to let the axles go on my 10 Bolt and it locked against the case. I got mad and decided it was already to late and hit it a few more times lightly so I could at least get the axles out.

I need to know If I pull my Diff if it will mess up any spacing or lash...
I just need to flip it 180* and put it back in.

Thanks guys!!

I doubt it will hurt it... But why can't you turn the pinion and roll it over and then tap the pin back in?

I hit the pin to hard and its held up against the case, and will not allow me to rotate it.

It will be fine. Torque the caps back properly (around 65 ft/lbs IIRC) and you'll be good.

Just dont mix your caps up, take a punch and make reference marks, there should be a spacer on each side of the diff, it doesnt matter which one goes on what side

A spacer? Are you talking about the shims? If so it absolutely matters where they go.

Just dont mix your caps up, take a punch and make reference marks, there should be a spacer on each side of the diff, it doesnt matter which one goes on what side


Absolutely WRONG the back lash is set with those spacers. If necessary remove the caps and slide the carrier to the rear so you can release the stuck pin. Then replace th caps and dont mix them up or install them backwards. The porch of the caps face outward. I always mark the sides of the caps with a Dremmel or center punch to identify their location.

DO NOT TRANSPOSE THOSE SHIMS!!!

^^^agree !!! Those shims/spacers are what set backlash. If you 'mic' them,you'll find they are dimensionally different and cannot be interchanged.