Disconnect the cable from the negative terminal of the battery. Loosen the front wheel lug nuts, raise the front of the vehicle, and support it securely on jackstands placed under the frame rails before removing the wheels. If equipped, remove the differential carrier splash shield. If servicing other components, the fluid does not need to be drained. Drain the lubricant from the front differential. Remove the front driveshaft, detach the vent hose from the differential housing, and disconnect the electrical connector from the shift motor along with the electrical harness from the carrier. For the 8.25-inch axle, remove the steering gear, the lower control arm crossmember, and detach the inner ends of the driveaxles from the axleshaft flanges, suspending the driveaxles with lengths of wire to avoid hanging by the outer CV joints. Support the differential carrier with a floor jack, using a transmission jack adapter if available for better security. Remove the two nuts attaching the axle tube to the chassis and the differential carrier rear mounting bolts. Pivot the differential carrier forward and down, slowly lower the jack, and guide the carrier out from under the vehicle. Check the bushings in the front and rear mounting bosses; if replacement is needed, take the carrier to an automotive machine shop or qualified repair facility for bushing replacement. For the 9.25-inch axle, turn the steering wheel all the way to the left, remove the steering gear skid plate if equipped, disconnect the relay rod from the idler arm and the Pitman arm, and remove the tie-rod ends from the spindles before removing the relay rod. Repeat the process of detaching the inner ends of the driveaxles, supporting the differential carrier, and removing the necessary nuts and bolts to access and guide the carrier out from under the vehicle. Again, check the bushings for replacement needs and ensure installation is the reverse of removal, tightening all fasteners to the proper torque values and refilling the differential with the appropriate lubricant.
