2000 Bravada, front differential blew. Do the CV shafts need to be completely removed (remove hub then shaft) to remove the front diff? How do I separate them from the differential, they are not the bolt on ones.

 

I only removed the pass. side when I dropped my front carrier. I did have my lower CAs removed though. Id say atleast one has to be removed. To remove CV from axle tube use a block of wood and hammer it out. Dont forget to remove all the steering linkage to make room too.

 

By front carrier I presume you mean differential? Did you remove the hub and knuckle to remove the CV shaft?

 

Yep I removed the spindle with the hub still mounted. Break loose cv out of hub and the whole spindle assembly will slide off.
Carrier=Differential.

 

Ok right on thanks, how did you manage to get the drivers side CV off while wiggling the carrier out?

 

I couldnt get my driver side cv out of the axle but I really didnt have to since I had my lower control arms removed already. It just dropped down with axle.

 

Oh ok gotcha, thanks.

 

The axles are retained by a split ring in a groove at the end of the spline on the axle, just like front wheel drive axles are retained in a transaxle. It expands into a matching groove in the diff. You can put a prybar between the axle and the diff and a sharp snapping force against the axle will pop it loose to be withdrawn. Or if you can get the angle, a hammer and a large diameter punch or similar can be used to pop it free. Just be careful not to damage the seal.

 

Alright I got the axles out, now I'm trying to get the front diff out. All bolts are out and its just hung up on the steering rack. I'm trying to get separate it from the pitman arm but it wont come off. I already got it off the idler arm just fine. I have an air chisel and it only moved it down about 1/8 inch and wont come off any more than that. Help?

 

I had removed my steering box with pitman arm. Also all the other steering linkage too. It was way easier than trying to wiggle around all that.