Removing the Old Fairmont Differential

In order to make room for my freshly rebuild 8.8, I needed to remove the old differential from my 1979 Ford Fairmont. If you need to remove a differential from a Fox Body Ford, this is the video for you. I cover all the steps needed to remove a differential from a Ford Fox Body in this video.
Be thankful you can't smell what I smell in this video. It's gross.
You can also use a floor jack and some jack stands to do this work. Just be sure to lift and support the vehicle properly.
How to Lift and Support a Vehicle: • How To Safely Lift and...
Link to previous video in the series: • Bending and Flaring th... s
The #FairmontProject playlist: • ETCG Gets a New Car! -...
Differential Basics video: • Things You Should Know...
The best place for answers to your automotive questions: www.ericthecarg...
Camera: Brian Kast
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Discussion about this video: www.ericthecar...
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Related Videos
Differential Rebuild (Short Version): • Ford 8.8 Assembly & Se...
Differential Final Assembly: • Ford 8.8 Final Assembl...
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Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy.

[@DannyM9348]

Always great to see a mechanic who's spent years in the trade who is still enthusiastic in their work. Great job Eric, loving the Fairmont project so far! :)

[@drew5505]

your happiness really shows in these fairmont videos.

[@danieljbeatty]

Yeah Eric just wanted to say how grateful I am for your presentation. I don't really need to remove a differential but I loved watching you explain how to do it and I learned how important it is to start with the spray to loosen up the bolts. Just want to thank you for your for your effort here and I plan to use your knowledge more in the future. You are a character!!

[@Zezims]

Man your experience really shows! I love it. Love the sound of a hard working impact gun also.

[@freakyRunner]

this is the best time to clean the vehicle underbody when the axis is out greetings from Germany

[@foxdmulder]

Regards to Angela Merkel her role as terrorist importer into Germany seems to be really paying off. :)))

[@PaulChillen]

you say that thing, where we help 2 million war victims escape and get two crazy ones who don't manage to kill anyone but themselves? yeah, feeling pretty good about that myself.

[@freakyRunner]

you are absolutely right. they imported the terrorism to us to Germany with their wrong policies it is time that they will her stored office and done again for German politics

[@PaulChillen]

As if they didn't get their share of crazy fuckers themselves in the US, even though they help no refugees at all. It's just a lot easier to be crazy and lethal in the US if you can get a gun and ammo at wall mart. I'll take a couple of crazy refugees over millios of crazy weaponized ignorant trump voters any day. Or AfD voters, which is the same, but without the guns.

[@jr540123]

With the way some of those people act that have been imported to Europe, you'd wish your worst worry was some gun touting hick talking shit and chugging a beer.

[@bborkzilla]

"Fairmont" and "Classic" - two words I never thought I'd hear in the same sentence.

[@leemoknows]

The fact that a 79 still had all its original hub caps is actually pretty awesome lol.

[@vetterfellow]

Out standing Eric, You do that like you know what you are doing.. LOL. Looked like there's a lot of dangerous obstacles under an old car. Great videos You and Bryan put together. TTFN.

[@smokextiresnotxdrugs8700]

You rock Eric.The car guy. Mann I share that same drive, that enthusiasm, hardcore on fire for the insight. man vs machine

[@Jeepula]

Eric, I couldnt sleep had alot on my plate this past week. Your videos keep me going, I appreciate the humor also. Thank You! From Los Angeles, CA 4am pacific time here

[@ericthecarguy]

I'm happy to help. Now get some rest.

[@Jeepula]

Thank you, will do

[@yellowbusguy]

That car is in such good shape. It's as though it never was driven in the rain or saw any winters. A rare find.

[@snubbelbuff1471]

+

[@ericthecarguy]

Indeed it was.

[@snubbelbuff1471]

"Multiply and have babys for another stud" :D I lost it completely!

[@alphonsorichards7304]

good job on the videos man. thanks. your awesome automotive mojo has inspired me to rebuild the front end on my Oldsmobile. after the second attempt I got it right and my alignment shop gave me the greasy thumbs up. thanks for what you do, Eric.

[@ericthecarguy]

That's fantastic. Thanks for the comment and good luck with the car.

[@barovelli]

3:32 I'm feeling very nostalgic. Looks like I am seeing body repairs that I did to my first cars. Bondo and Duplicolor - my friends for cheap rust repairs :)

[@lt7automotive931]

Good video Eric. Solid explanation of approach and work done with a little humor thrown in. Subscribed.

[@Dcs-Brasil]

Cut the old springs are The best decision! I like it! Good job as always.

[@JohnDove]

If you take the upper control arms loose first you can drop the axle enough that you do not have to cut the coil springs.

[@nos1000100]

but not too much of an issue if your replacing the springs anyway

[@JohnDove]

True, but if your taking the upper control arms out anyways it saves the hassle of dragging the torches out.

[@nos1000100]

+John Dove yes i agree but fire and molten metal is always fun if you do it in a safe manner. as well it looks better on camera

[@JohnDove]

I can't argue with that.

[@charlesmiller5078]

Have a camera operator makes a big difference, seems to make everything go smoother.

[@JordyValentine]

Haha, the hammer and the rattle gun, so nice when it's not me for once! Loving the fairmont vids, I might be more excited than Eric for the final product haha

[@itsnotan8]

Yep. Been there, done that. Swapped an 8.8 into my '00 v6 Mustang a few months back.

[@sanchez427]

Amazing how that brake line nut just unthreaded. Up here in Ontario we are replacing rotten brake lines on 2013'-14's now. Makes a mechanic rather jealous to see that :) Another reason I am trying to relocate to the middle to southern states for work.

[@DJEyeBee]

7:14 The best feeling in the world when you're working on old car brakes!

[@alexanderdavidson7837]

Greetings from Australia... The US Fairmonts are so much better than the Aussie ones... Been following this project closely and thoroughly enjoying it...

[@snubbelbuff1471]

+

[@ericthecarguy]

What's better about them?

[@alexanderdavidson7837]

+EricTheCarGuy They have a boxier more muscle look about them... Put it down to aesthetics :)

[@ericthecarguy]

Interesting. I'll have to look those up. Do they go under a different name?

[@alexanderdavidson7837]

+EricTheCarGuy they have the Ford Falcon model and under that are the Fairmont and Fairlane and every other performance model..

[@1marcelfilms]

Working on cars is fun but only if you have the right tools. yes

[@snubbelbuff1471]

+

[@ericthecarguy]

It certainly helps.

[@mauricemotors8207]

Sometimes you dont and it becomes a nightmare

[@bassbone52]

and a two-post lift.

[@MustObeyTheRules]

The right tools makes for a usually pleasant experience.

[@steamy1225]

yup. did that too on my 88 Stang. replaced the rear upper and lower control arms with out removing the rear axle assy. Second time i replaced the rear control arms was 2 summers ago on my back with just jack and jack stands. Not fun but got it done. bushings were no longer available for the first set .

[@SaberToothLawnTigers]

If you stand on the rear end with the shocks removed the springs fall right out. Also thats the nicest Ive ever seen the rear end bolts come out, Ive done 5 so far and only one un-bolted like it was supposed to. Normally removing a foxbody rear end involves cutting disks and air hammers.

[@zx8401ztv]

Cutting through the springs was brutal, but released the bolts a treat :-), love shortcuts.

[@ericthecarguy]

I love my torch.

[@hdaddi2]

Man I love you and I love how you make it easily I am from Saudi Arabia.

[@atheosxgaming]

i remember the first time i dropped the diff from my car. 6 hour job, took my time. made sure i got everything right. 4-5th time ive done it now. 15 minute job.

[@commodore665]

you make this look so easy ,

[@ericthecarguy]

It's fun too.

[@mauricemotors8207]

Of course he's been doing it since the dinosaurs were walking ;)

[@dozza202]

+EricTheCarGuy its only fun if its your own car lol

[@FernandoDIY]

some people don't realize how heavy a diff is or how coil can spring out once loosening bolts can easily cause death. specially teens all i can say is be careful don't try do things by your self have someone with you and good luck

[@tommyaleks100]

You need to know how to do it! use support and you are good to go.

[@michaeldeas1969]

if you break loose the nuts and bolts on the control arms and remove the shocks the differential will lower down enough to remove the coil springs without cutting them. just the tip from a broken-down old mechanic

[@davidb.fishburn9338]

Same here. Gotta develop techniques for when you don't have the option of cutting anything. One technique is to put the nuts back on the first few threads and hammer away, to at least pop the head of the bolt out far enough to be able to put the open end of a wrench over the shank of the bolt to push the bolt out as it is spun.

[@tommyaleks100]

To late but anyway. This was the most wierd ting I have ever seen. Eric is a car mechanic and he did not know how to get it off?? haha. The spring push the controll arm downward so the bolt is locking up. The only thing he had to do was to set pressure to the controll arm in a upwards direction, take out the bolt and lower the support. use a breakerbar to force the controll arm in downward direction. He had the support on the wrong place!

[@aserta]

I saw a transmission jack with straps tied in to the platform as opposed to chains. The ends looked looked almost identical to the triangle bit you see at a seat belt's end.

[@WillFigs823]

It's such a beautiful car Eric.

[@yalantyr25]

Hey Eric, if you want or need a tool for those bolts again sometime soon, sunex tools makes a special 1/2" drive wobble socket just for those 12 point 12 mm Ford driveshaft bolts, it works really well

[@rhkips]

Time to name your trans jack "Quadrapus." ;D From what I've experienced dropping rear ends, when hanging at the shocks' limit, those springs aren't under very much tension, but it'll always be more than you think it is. I personally like to disconnect the shocks last, and do so from the body mounts, rather than the axle mounts. That way you can use your lift (or a floor jack!) to gently decompress the springs with the axle resting on jack stands. There are probably a million different ways to do it, though! :)

[@LMacNeill]

Interesting... I removed, rebuilt, and reinstalled the 9" rear-end on my '68 Galaxie. I didn't realize the rear-end on a Fox Body would be so different. The spring perches on my 9" were welded to the axle tubes, for example, so you didn't have to worry about spring tension creating tension on the lower-control-arm bolts. And I had a panhard bar, too, which you didn't have there. Interesting to see the differences between the Fairmont and my Galaxie.

[@ericthecarguy]

Yea, 2 very different vehicles. However, I think I'm going to go with a panhard bar and torque arm set up before I'm done with this car. Thanks for your comment.

[@lajacksonify]

I've been watching your channel for years and I'm so happy to see you work on your own big project especially a Ford lol I'm building a 97 Mustang gt started out with a 16.5 second car and as of today she's a 13.7 second car n/a and stock motor from oil pan to intake manifold. have you ever considered doing a manual valve body aod? I put manual valve body 4r70w in mine and I absolutely love it over the 5 speed tr3650 or the t45.

[@mikeh6876]

Damn fine video. Good job. The right tools make all the diff.

[@Hooha1986]

You mean like when he struggled with a box end wrench and a pry bar trying to get the drive shaft off? He's got an impact and he's done videos on his new compressor but he hardly ever uses his air tools. :) To each his own but I would have used the impact first and been done with it.

[@n20cpri]

I know it's already done but you should think about doing battle boxes - especially if you intend to take it to the drag strip. Easy install...

[@ericthecarguy]

I did as you'll see in a future video.

[@n20cpri]

+EricTheCarGuy Sweet! Can't wait for the update.

[@tom7601]

The rubber caps on the shock bolts also protect what you carry in the trunk.

[@TazarZero]

"We'll multiply and have babies for another stud." Lol, that was funnier to me than what was probably intended. I was thinking 'Stud' as in.... well.. you know, another good looking "mechanic". :)

[@DoRC]

precious bodily fluids! I love me some obscure movie quotes:)

[@AspectOfTheStorm]

Damn, that cars in excellent condition. Nice snag

[@RobertKohut]

Nice , straight forward removal.

[@deadskimountaineer]

Impact swivel sockets may be the best thing ever.

[@fixins]

Check out how the Jeep folks hook up the Jeep parking brake cable to a swapped Ford 8.8. You basically cut the end off the cable and then use a couple u-bolt to make a loop around the hook. Works great.

[@ericthecarguy]

I've actually come up with a clever solution that will be shown in a future video.

[@Kickinpony66]

Those hubcaps are Mint!

[@ramonpagan695]

Good work Eric

[@mrexecutive1]

Man that's a mean air ratchet 19:55

[@BigHappysPlace]

That's what you get with air volume. :D

[@kamiljp87]

wow that interior looks mint

[@snubbelbuff1471]

+

[@wyattoneable]

Fun times Eric!

[@100SteveB]

The old gas axe for the win! (It always wins).

[@HUBBABUBBADOOPYDOOP]

*NOTHING ARGUES WITH THE BIG RED WRENCH*

[@ericthecarguy]

Nope.

[@trefod]

Quoting Dr. Strangelove, Awesome.

[@xargon1234]

just as a note if you let the trans jack down a bit with the shocks removed you can remove the springs without cutting them. also this removal vid can apply to from fox body to 04 mustangs ans they used the same setup until then with the exception of the 99 cobra it had irs.

[@ericthecarguy]

Thanks for the insight.

[@nos1000100]

it don't look as good on camera though

[@davidb.fishburn9338]

Eric, i'm surprised that you cut the springs. I have had to remove the spring and shocks to install a new exhaust system on some cars, cutting the springs is not an option.

[@Soulcommander]

that was fun bro. Thanks for the vid.

[@xdguku]

Eric sorry for me English but I am for Mexico not from Cancun but near, I wonder how your electric impact tools have being working because I have seen on your recent videos that your aren’t using them lake you us to. Love your show, I don’t miss any of them.

[@civicrojo18]

We need overhauling speed hahaha just kidding Eric, keep going

[@brandon2076]

"my first differential kit" made me laugh out loud

[@daveogarf]

LOVE IT, Eric! a subtle comment from the movie, "Dr. Strangelove", featuring General Jack D. Ripper (This is a VERY Dark Satire, folks! Think "Network"). "...A foreign substance is introduced into our precious bodily fluids, without the knowledge of the individual, certainly without any choice." If you've never seen it, Find It! The final scene was, up until the "Blazing Saddles" campfire scene, Slim Pickens's BEST! Can't say I'm sorry to see the old diff. go away, sir. 4-lug... What's that??

[@dylanknight4752]

imagine all the backyard drag builders who have to do this without a lift. lol the struggle.

[@ericthecarguy]

I'm very happy to have my lift.

[@acoow]

The ankle buster spins because one or more of the wheels is not straight. That is, the vertical shaft that is the axis that it casters on is not truly vertical. Fix that and will will need a name change.

[@otismatvejs1026]

My hero!

[@mikec1096]

nice tear down. thank you

[@otabash]

2:50 It seems to me that side panel behind the door of the car was repaired?

[@edgeofvamp]

Can you cut the wire to length and use a hydraulic crimper to crimp a new barrel on the end?

[@RockyXTV]

Once you got to the control arms it all seemed surprisingly like the video I did on the lower control arms for our Jeep Liberty AKA: Project Renegade. One of ours was rotted completely through! Check it out if you get the chance, or if you want to that is. Love these project videos!

[@davidb.fishburn9338]

Iirc, there is a recall on those control arms.

[@RockyXTV]

David B. Fishburn There is?

[@talaminia]

I do hope your gonna put some beefier control arms on it. Those stock ones look wimpy.

[@thestakesauce5891]

always a good video

[@EngineeringVignettes]

Regarding the upper link missing a piece, it would be interesting to know what day that car was built on the assembly line. If it was Monday or Friday then chances are it _never_ had that part put in. I would not think that the 4-link was really touched in the time after the car was built... - Eddy

[@ericthecarguy]

It could have rusted out.

[@EngineeringVignettes]

Oh yes, that's possible as well... this just reminded me of a co-worker of past. He used to work on the Ford assembly line in Detroit as a stand-in, for when one of the regulars did not show up. This tended to occur on the Mondays and Fridays. Needless to say the quality of the cars built on those days were below ones made in the middle of the week. Cheers, - Eddy

[@nofoxgiven6315]

the model simler to this in oz has 5 stud and leaf springs

[@randomusernumber1]

hey Eric , know whats a better way to release spring tension :) lower the diff that you have supported on that stand and the springs will fall off

[@dirtydub3245]

eric. hi love your stuff. helps me all the time. OK so I have a 1995 toy avalon xls. ran great not even check engine light. got home parked it disconnected - batt cabel. took out tape deck. hard wired in a new cd player(no wiring harness made for her) got done and car cranks strong everything works. no fuel no spark. did I mess with the anti theft or immobilizer? put tape deck back in and same problem. any ideas or help would be great. thanks in advance.

[@DanielRichards644]

Gear Oil is the Worst odor i've experienced when working on cars.

[@chefdan87]

Very true, lol. I had a case spill in the bed of my truck and it soaked into the thick rubber mat i had in the bed, no amount of scrubbing or washing would get the stink out so i had to just throw it away.

[@brysonshires9573]

Tbh, I actually love the smell

[@PorscheRacer14]

I'm curious, but what was Ford's reasoning to switch over to a three-link setup in later model years? Was it for cost savings or weight reduction or better handling for launching the car? At least from my own experience, an adjustable 4-link seems easier to get set right at the drag strip versus am adjustable three-link and panhard bar.

[@armelind]

Are you catching up with previously filmed footage? I am confused. I have already seen the new differential on the car...I thought.

[@MichaelGedies]

My first differential kit lmao

[@ArchimedeanEye]

2 day soak of penetrating oil... now THAT is effective!

[@jakeschroeder1553]

Just curious, Eric, why did you release this video out of order (after the ones where you rebuild the dif)? Love your videos! Stay dirty!

[@declyn8]

THANK YOU!!!!

[@singhultrafxpodcast]

17:13 lol so funny .very very entertaining

[@AspectOfTheStorm]

I know you still get satisfaction every time you get to throw a tire down like that

[@hkphooey2doorcoupe249]

Hey Eric, You always wear the glasses. Why don't you wear hearing protection when using the rattle gun? It's LOUD!

[@ericthecarguy]

The rattle gun isn't as loud as my grinder. I do wear ear protection when I'm using that.

[@crgintx]

They put the shoes on back wards. Big shoe goes on the front on Ford 7.5 rear ends.

[@Chevroldsmobuiac]

When you mess with the brakes on a really old car, are you worried/concerned about asbestos exposure?

[@Jameson8713]

have you thought of using OIL Catch Can to keep your engine cleaner

[@hellcat1988]

That looked like the same brake setup that was on my 93 Navajoke.

[@rrbrian222]

Many of the early (and late!) RBV (Ranger-based vehicles) used the Ford 7.5" rear axle assembly as the standard option. Explorers, Aerostars, Mazda B-series and Navajo just to name a few.

[@jonclark1288]

Explorers and Navajos NEVER used a 7.5" axle. They all had 31-spline 8.8" axles. Rangers/B-Series used 7.5" and 8.8", depending on engine. Don't remember which axles Aerostars had.

[@classicman1828]

just can't whit to see you install that turbo you hiding xd

[@HUBBABUBBADOOPYDOOP]

*@**19:43** A DARKMATTERPIKACHU Rocker Arm?*

[@andyca15]

I got really excited that you were starting to release midweek Fairmont videos, then I realized it was actually Friday. :) If you were going to save the springs, would you have just used spring compressors to take the tension?

[@ericthecarguy]

I could have probably dropped the rear end without cutting the springs. I was just being cautious. Also I like using my torch to cut things.

[@andyca15]

Who wouldn't like cutting things with fire! :)

[@ericthecarguy]

Right?!

[@mds2465]

Eric where's the new exhaust kit, do you have any pics of that yet and is it big enough that it won't be disabled with a banana in the tailpipe?

[@andregross7420]

I think he might use the exhaust from the old black Fox he parted out (but might be built into another budget project later on). Mythbusters actually tested fruit in the exhaust.....and it just got shot out from pressure

[@mds2465]

Andre Gross that's the way to go!

[@johnferguson7235]

Pound a potato up the tailpipe; ya that's the ticket.

[@ericthecarguy]

It's going to be custom.

[@WreckDiver99]

Nice job Eric...question. I know what you do with the waste oil/fluids (you've mentioned that), but what about tires and metal? Do you have a scrap bin you save the scrap metal in for resale? I know steel is pretty much worthless right now, but if you run into a couple thousand pounds over the course of a year you have some adult beverage money. :) Just wondering...

[@ericthecarguy]

I have a guy that picks up the scrap. So far I store the old tires in a shed out back but I need to find a better solution for that soon.

[@mauricemotors8207]

My Teacher thats a master technician has a ford 302 putting out 400hp to the wheels and a chevy 350 putting out 450 lol

[@cfook]

While there might have been a missing part in the bush, don't you think it was just evidence of the normal wear that happens, even in a sedate live axle car, on the side that is always fighting against the torque, "whip"?

[@ericthecarguy]

Honestly that explains the 'clunk' I would hear sometimes going over bumps. Weird how they didn't just make the bushing fit the bolt, but I suppose that kept it from rusting into place.

[@therealuncleevil]

When you were cutting the springs, before they were actually separated, did they contract because of the heat like the spring in a thermostat or because it was starting to buckle from the cut you were making?

[@ericthecarguy]

Buckling from the cut.

[@Nope-un5lq]

Thanks for the video, Eric - appreciate it. Just wanted to ask as I didn't see it in the "Show More' section where you listed the tools you used. What tool did you use to hold the brake pedal down once you disconnected the rear brake fluid line? I've been looking around for something like that myself but haven't found anything so I thought I'd ask. Thank you.

[@ericthecarguy]

www.jbtoolsales.com/lisle-46170-hood-prop-telescopes-from-20-to-48-1-4#oid=1002_1

[@Nope-un5lq]

Ahh. A hood prop. Tricky. Thank you, sir! :-)

[@bradt9244]

why didnt you just support the lower control arm and air chisel out the bolt?

[@Emerich2010]

Hello Eric, a bit off-topic but may I ask for your advice? I have a 17 years old Seat Ibiza II 6k1 (kinda like volkswagen polo mk3) I don't think you have that overseas. Anyway I bought it 2 years ago and it runs quite well, no major issues, 1400cc. 37 MPG, has 140k miles in it. I bought good quality Toyo tires partially because you said how important they are, I couldn't agree more. The thing is I'd like to drive it for a few more years at least and I'm going to have the MOT in the near future. What parts would it be a good idea to have changed in order to give the vehicle some love? (I was thinking : sparkplugs, transmission fluid (that's a maybe), fuel filter etc) Thank you very much

[@davidb.fishburn9338]

You need to post this here~www.ericthecarguy.com

[@pbassen88]

were those tires on the fairmont when he bought it..

[@ericthecarguy]

Yes.