Ive been cursing these bolts for hours now and I cant get them apart. Im trying to remove the bolt that holds the mount in place but the bolt is cocked sideways, because the mount is already very loose.

Im also wondering how the hell ppl are removing the 2 bolts that connect the mount to the housing because the only tool I have that fits in there is a wrench but thats not working. Whats the best way to remove the bolts for the differential mounts???

This almost seems harder then when I removed the tranny Anybody who has done this before and might know a better way, please id really appreciate the help

 

I have no done this job before. But I guess I have the right tool, this shouldn't be that bad.

I believe you should remove the 2 bolts and nuts holding the mount bracket to the rear crossmember. Then slowly lower the rear differential housing with a jack underneath it. After that there are 4 bolts on top that's holding the differential mount.


I've attached an img of the whole assembly. But per my instructions, it is mostly for a profession with a transmission jack and the car on the lift.

Tools that I would recommend using is a ratchet + a socket + a breaker bar (if you can slide it in. If not, then I would LOWER the differential housing FIRST, then get extra room for me to slide the ratchet+socket+breaker bar to break loose the 2 nuts and bolts holding onto the differential bushings to the rear crossmember.

 

^ This would be the easiest way to do it. Your cat back will most likely get in the way of lowering the diff. Unbolt it at the cat and let it hang. That should give you all the space you need. Don't forget to change your fuel filter while you're in there.

A flex head gear wrench will make it a bit easier as well.

 

Which ones did you go with? Eurothane, Mazdaspeed or solid? ...please update after testing.

 

Ya I thought the catalytic converter might get in the way, im glad I decided to leave it off. I just finished reinstalling the tranny after doing some major work down there, but I left the midcat off in case it might get in the way of replacing the dif mounts. I bought some Pettit urethane street dif mounts. Wow that flex head gear wrench would def make things a LOT easier, thanks! First i'll try to remove it with a wrench, but if it doesn't work im gonna buy that tool.

 

Wow this tool is special order at every store and takes a week to arrive??? WHAT THE F&@K!!!!!???????????!!!!!!

 

extensions and swivels. thats how i dropped my rear end.

 

Sears has them in stock all the time and Harbor Freight also sells a kit of these which are also in stock all the time. Buy the kit at Sears or wherever you want. These things make life way better.

 

Called Sears, special order, checked harbor freight... They do have the flex wrenches in stock, but none are available in a 17mm size. I actually did get them off with a regular wrench, but it was VERY tricky.

I was unable to remove the rear PPF bolts for the diff, because apparently one of the nuts is rusted tight, but I managed to use both a long and a short 17mm regular wrench, and a long pry bar to press on the wrench and it came off very easy that way.Then I just wiggled the dif arm out of the rear suspension. I almost thought i'd never get these off.

Heres a look at the old VS. the new. I think the old ones are bad, what do you think?

 

Buy the gear wrenches as a set. It's way cheaper and theyre always in stock: CLICK ME!

Don't forget to change your fuel filter and inspect the fuel hoses while you have the diff lowered. Now's the best time to take care of that. Are you planning on selling the old diff mount?

 

That's exactly how I did mine too.
I agree with what Wan mentioned too, easiest time to replace the fuel filter is now

 

I actually replaced the fuel filter prior to the job and also relocated at the same time HUGE difference now, these urethane dif mounts do NOT make any gear whine noise like some people complain about, they feel great, nice tight ride feels good for the street.