Disassembling the rear differential on our 1946 Willys Jeep CJ2A

Disassembling the rear differential on our 1946 Willys Jeep CJ2A turns into a hot mess! Not to worry, there’s plenty of water involved as well… New discoveries regarding less that stellar maintenance done by a previous owner.
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[@randallstewart8487]

When you put it back together,hope you matched each side with the number on the cap and number on the housing,not only that but,which ever way the number is turned on the housing,the number on the cap needs to be in the same direction and opposite each other!

[@lyleminyard2308]

I agree with your man, Eric chords comment. Dana is one of the very few that marks those caps at the factory.

[@NedHills]

Thanks, I’ve found the same info/guidance in a couple other videos since as well. Thanks for watching!

[@ErikCords]

Just found your channel today. I like it! Your bearing caps are on the correct side of the differential, both are upside down though. The orientation of the number on the cap needs to match the orientation of the number on the housing. If you rebuild the differential do not put them back on in the current orientation. Also, examine your hubs closely. They are likely split at the keyway groove. I had purchased a hub puller to work on the rear end of my M38A1 and both hubs came off easily like yours, Both hubs were split. The last person that worked on it obviously did not know what they were doing. I am eager to see what you end up doing with your Willys.

[@NedHills]

That’s great info, thank you! We’re inching along, slow and steady!

[@brantonabbett993]

Great job, Ned. Very cool!

[@NedHills]

Appreciate it and thanks for watching!

[@SunkCostGarage]

I'm about to have to go through the same journey on my rear differential.

[@NedHills]

My advice, use a gear puller! I just got lucky… Good luck on yours and thanks for watching!

[@markrandall1456]

I might consider adding WD40 to your arsenal. You can spray and soak the inside of the diff to get the water and rust loose and then hose it out. I think between the loose axle and probably your vents, the water just ran in. I’ve never seen those drums come off so easy on the rear. Clean your bearings and races. They might be better than you think. Lots of of PB & WD in your future. In addition to metalshaper, G503 and Walcks have some good videos. They all seem to go by a few details that will make you almost scratch your head(don’t do it-gear oil on your head smells funny). Watching all you can is time well spent. Good luck.

[@NedHills]

I definitely got lucky on the hubs. And to another commenter’s point, I really need to get a puller. Just plain luck things came apart without one!! Thanks for watching! And for the additional resources!

[@donaldblakley6796]

Nice work bud 👍. I have to pinion bearings, so going to do all. I also would rather spend money on the axle, not pullers and expensive tools, might try your method for hubs first.. anyways thank you

[@NedHills]

It’s worth a shot, but be careful not to damage anything! I’ve since bought a couple Harbor Freight puller sets. Low cost/lower quality, but they’ve done fine for what little I use them so far. Good luck on your project!!

[@royburns651]

My 47 Cj 2 was a nightmare. The taperd axle held on to the brake drum till the drum shatterd.

[@NedHills]

I fairly certain I was just plain lucky mine came apart as easy as it did. After having completed the task, I strongly recommend a proper puller versus the way I did! Thank you for watching!

[@ginacoronel6872]

Here's a sad thing about these axles, if the hubs come off that easy they may not be good and may be split or out of round in the center, or maybe since the nut wasn't tight there's a small chance they are alright. But if the bearing race on the axle shaft comes off so easy like on the first side the housing is worn, what I've done is I dimple the housing so it grabs the race better but only after I've calibrated the end play on the shafts. Good luck on your project!

[@NedHills]

Good point, the race definitely is loose in the axle. Probably due to the lack of proper torque on the axle nut…

[@ginacoronel6872]

@@NedHills well sometimes people sand out the housing so "it comes out easy" when they don't have the right puller hopefully it's not too much and putting some dimples fixes it, I did have one where it was so bad I had to fill with welding and regrind it

[@NedHills]

That’s a good point also. I’ll have to take a closer look at this when I get back on this one. Thank you!

[@raymondcarroll306]

Why would you consider doing a hub job without a puller

[@NedHills]

I suppose I enjoy the frustration of not having the right tool! Should have one, which is a very valid point. Thanks for watching!

[@davevanatta1965]

dont scrape somebody buy off ya lol