How to remove and replace a rear diff center (Solid Axle)

Gday Guys and Gals!

I picked up a second hand rear diff center for my Toyota Landcruiser 80 series with an ARB airlocker installed and decided to make a video on how to remove and replace the rear diff center.

I give you a full step by step run through on how to replace the diff center and all the steps leading up to getting it out, how to clean and prepare the diff and gaskets for the new center and how to reassemble everything in the end.

The standard Limited slip diff would have been good when the vehicle was new but after 380 000km it would have been acting as an open differential, thats the reason replacing it with an airlocking or elocking diff is a great upgrade. The great thing about these select-able lockers is you can lock the diff completely for when your off-road or need more traction and when you want it to act as an open diff you just flick the switch.

I will also be fitting a front ARB airlocker in the near future and will do a video of how to remove the front diff center. So stay tuned!

Thanks for watching, and if you enjoyed or would like to see more videos hit subscribe :D

Let me know in the comments what sort of how to videos you would like to see next as well !

Cheers, Nick!

[patrickmurphy]

I've done a few on land rovers, when you pull out that diff it weighs a lot so be ready for it . Great video . Thanks

[snvideos]

Hi, how do you go about balancing the drive shaft afterwards? Any marking will be gone as its a total replacement. Thanks

[AaronCarr]

Very useful - cheers. Nice place to live with the sound of birds and electric guitars 🙂

[AlbrightJamesD]

I just had a rear differential bearing and seal kit - Toyota 8" installed on my 1987 Toyota 1T PU and it spews gear oil out the differential vent. Before this work was done the mechanic found that the differential vent was clogged and unclogged it. Any idea why it is spewing gear oil. A year earlier I had new rear wheel bearings and seals installed. I don't know if it matters but on the way home from the differential bearing and seal kit work the inner wheel bearing on the passenger side failed. After they replaced the inner and outer bearings and the seal I found that it still spews gear oil out of the differential vent.

[pauldashwood]

Great work …would you know if all makes of locker have the same seals ..or how can I tell what mine are ..thankyou

[eventhorizon]

Rear is easy. On FJ80 (e.g. 1994 Land Cruiser), front requires pulling the drums, brakes, etc: the drive shafts consist of two parts, a KNUCKLE, which requires more parts to pull off front knuckle assembly.

[subramanyamsarvepalli]

Good job. Where did you find the differential, source.

[JacobEpakali]

Is it right to remove axcol without jack..?

[norsephilosophy]

Great video mate, when I remove the floating axels will I have to replace a seal or gasket?

[robertraman]

Great video(s), you make it look simple and good editing as well

[bigdazza]

Good video mate. Today’s job, change rear center!

[rafaelsandoval]

Hi the 98 Toyota Tacoma 2wheel drive is the same my diff when bad end I need to replace it thanks.

[KenanKulenovic]

My diff needs to be replaced. FZJ 80 non locked. Can I put diff with locker instead?

[mohdeen]

Hey Nic great video thanks for sharing. You have inspired me to have a crack at this myself. Do you have a parts/gasket and tool list for this job?

[kinuholmqvist]

Do you need to balance the drive shaft afterwards? And if so how? Thanks

[rayadhali]

Please advise: how can i use only one side/wheel and stop the other side from spinning (i'm building a rotavator and i only need one side to spin)

[seychkseychell]

Hi. I do have a 2006 land cruiser FZJ 100 series. with LSD rear diff. Want to see the replacement of this diff.😎

[marian_f]

If there's also a factory locker present on the diff, should the process be any different?

[irvgotti]

Do I have to remove the rear axles all the way out or could I just take them out half way. Reason I ask is because I have limited space on both sides of 80 and it's raining all week so I cant do it outside

[kieranabbey]

is the front and rear gaskets on the cover the same as the side you are changing?