Removal Of Front Diff Cover On R34 Gt-R...

[xanavinismo]

Hi all,

I am taking out the drive shafts to replace both inner CV Boots on an R34 GT-R. I have taken out the passenger side drive shaft out no worries but I am having difficulty pulling out the drivers side. Going off the workshop manual for an R32 GT-R (cant find R34's) it says that you have to drain oil from Front Diff, remove cover, remove C-clip then wedge out the drive shaft...

My problem is removing the front diff cover. I have unbolted all 10 x 14mm bolts holding the cover in place but the cover seems to be really sealed on to the diff & I just cant get it off

Anyone had this issue before? Any help/info/tips would be greatly appreciated

Cheers,

Glen

Edited March 9, 2014 by xanavinismo

[GTRPSI]

Should just come off, its probably silicon holding it on, yes 10 screws after counting them on my diff..

Watch the breather tube on top too.

You just pry the shaft out using a big screw driver from inside the diff, the clip just hops over the cut in the shaft.

[Duncan]

I am not certain that r34 is the same, but on 32-33 it is possible to remove it without removing the diff cover (bit late now!). You can pop the driveshaft out even if the circlip is in place using a pry bar. The other end is trickier, I've found the easiest is to remove the lower control arm at the ball joint at the hub.

[wedge_r34gtr]

I used Duncan's method when i took my front shafts out - didn't need to remove the diff cover at all...as i didn't break anything, it's pretty safe to assume the 34gtr's are the same

[xanavinismo]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

So where exactly do I pry it from? Eg - Up against the diff?

Also when it comes to putting the drivers side drive shaft back in, there wont be any issues with lining it up with the circlip inside the diff etc?

Cheers guys!

Glen

[533 RYC]

You just need to pry between the inner joint cup & the diff housing.

For refitting the shaft, ensure the circlip is a snuggish fit into the groove (if its not, then it will catch on the spline & be forced out of the groove & possibly damaged), start the splines in the carrier & drive/force it in BY HAND. The circlip will compress.

[xanavinismo]

You just need to pry between the inner joint cup & the diff housing.

Do I also need to pull & rotate the driveshaft while prying? Because my problem is that the inner CV boot is completely split and theres nothing keeping the shaft in place

[533 RYC]

No, it should just pop out, its just a matter of finding the right place to lever. I have to do mine soon too, would have done already except for a back injury.

You can remove the shaft from the cup, just be careful as there are three races with needle rollers that can fall off (dont lose any, as re-assembly with just one missing means failure). Then you can pop the cup out of the diff.

[xanavinismo]

After many attempts to pry the shaft out still no success So I moved back onto removing front diff cover...

Okay so I finally removed diff cover (ableit using a razor blade to cut the silicon bond in between the diff housing/case.

Next issue is where exactly do I pry from? The workshop manual for an R32 GT-R isnt showing exactly where to push up against...

Thanks again for the help guys!

Edited March 11, 2014 by xanavinismo

[Duncan]

Do I also need to pull & rotate the driveshaft while prying? Because my problem is that the inner CV boot is completely split and theres nothing keeping the shaft in place

sorry for the slow response....it must be frustrating getting stuck at this bloody spot!

Basically I would get a pry bar (maybe very small at first, maybe even a screwdrive if the fit is very tight) into the area pictured. The end of the drive shaft and the bronze coloured steel shield come out together, so get the bar underneath that bronzy disk and start prying. As it can require some force be careful.....levering stuff out is a really good way to hurt yourself when it does finally let go!

Or, since you have the cap off, in the diff centre as pictured are 2 small spider gears, the end of the driveshaft is inside the spider gear and you should be able to get something in there to pry it out too....the pic doesn't really show it because you are looking straight on, try looking from the right side back to the left and you should see the end of the shaft.

Failing all that....whereabouts are you? I'm actually in Canberra tomorrow night and can give you a quick hand if you haven't won....

[Ben C34]

I haven't done it on a gtr, but with the circlips holding in drive shafts prying as hard as you can sometimes doesn't cut it. A quick sharp blow on the pry bar shocks them free. Also when doing that push it in as far as you can so it gets a little 'run up' to pop out.

[xanavinismo]

sorry for the slow response....it must be frustrating getting stuck at this bloody spot!

Failing all that....whereabouts are you? I'm actually in Canberra tomorrow night and can give you a quick hand if you haven't won....

Yes very frustrating indeed

But wow what a coincidence, your in Canberra! Im up in the northside of Canberra. Would be really appreciated if you can come over and give me a hand! I can PM you my address...

[xanavinismo]

I am happy to report that I have finally managed to wedge out the driveshaft! Wooohoo!

I did it via wedging from inside the diff with a small pry bar/screw driver & using a hammer to give it that shock to release the circlip, for me a much easier option then somehow prying like you guys. Hats off to those who are able to pull it out that way

Thanks again so much to all that gave me their helpful details/hints/tips!

Cheers,

Glen

[Ben C34]

Good work! Some thought out hammer blows make all the difference.

Same goes for tight nuts, ball joints etc, a sharp blow works so much better than a levering action.

It's science

[tricstar]

Yep when I did it. Couple of sharp hits did the job