What is the best gear ratio for towing?
A 3.73 ratio is suitable for regular light towing. If you plan on towing a fifth-wheel trailer or anything heavier than 5,000 pounds, you should consider a 4.1 axle ratio. A 4.1 ratio allows a towing vehicle to start moving without as much throttle.
Is it safe to jack up a car from the rear differential?
So here’s our stance on the debate: don’t jack up your vehicle by the differential unless the manufacturer recommends it. Always use a floor jack to apply lifting force at the OEM recommended points, then place your jack stands appropriately—as close to the jacking point as possible.
Can a rear differential be part of the front axle?
Your differentials can be part of your front or rear axle assembly—or both—depending on the type of vehicle you drive. For example, if you have an SUV with 4-wheel drive, then you have both a front and rear differential. There are actually three different types of differentials:
What’s the best way to remove a rear axle?
Pull Tip: Always remember that the front axle needs to have the exact same gearing ratio as the rear axle. Most of the time you can find the gear ratio on a tag on the axle diff cover. Remove the Wheels and Tires. TIP – Using Penetrating Oil on all the nuts and bolts first will really help the process.
What can I use to dislodge an axle shaft?
You can use pry bars to dislodge the axle shaft but be careful not to bend the plates. (Later, you’ll see how the bearing arrangement traps the plates on the axle shafts.) If you are going to re-use the bearings, the plates are also re-used.
How does a disassembly of a GM differential work?
Once the axle shafts have been removed, you can lift the ring gear and carrier out of the center section. Then the carrier disassembly can commence. Although other components do not have to be aligned, you need to keep the inner pinion bearing properly aligned. This bearing is pressed on and removing the bearing instantly changes alignment.