This is how we replace the diff in a NC. We use the hoist at work and a transmission jack but you can do the same thing at home on the ground with a trolley jack.
Rear of the car will need to be off the ground and securely supported on axle stands.
Drain diff oil
Remove tailshaft
Remove intermediate pipe and rear muffler as one assembly
Disconnect rear brake calipers and secure so no strain is on brake hoses
Mark all rear suspension inner adjustable pivot points with marker to allow easy realignment when refitting
Disconnect all rear arms from rear cradle at inner points
Disconnect lower rear shocks
Lever driveshafts at diff and remove
Remove complete rear hub and arms
Take weight of diff with jack
Remove PPF
Remove 2 upper diff mount bolts
Wiggle diff through rear cradle (usually at an angle about 45 degrees)
As the say in the manuals, refitting is the reverse of removal with the addition of the following points important points –
Don’t tighten upper diff mounts until the PPF frame is reconnected and securely in position
Only tighten up all rear arm suspension points when the suspension is compressed
Fill diff with oil
Dont drink until the job is finished completely
