For those that have removed a rear diff...
 

Based on what you saw, do you think there is a way to connect the two control arms/rear suspension so that I can tow the car (all 4 wheels on teh ground) to the scrapyard? I'm pulling the rear diff out of a '79 280CE to put in my 300CD after the 4sp conversion.

I'm open to suggestions, but hope I won't have to do any fabrication to make it work. The tow will be about 15 miles so I can just drag it either. I'm guessing I'll have to pull the rear springs as I'll be fighting them in the process, but haven't looked that closely at what else will be necessary. This will all be done next week in the evenings and/or next Saturday morning FYI.

You will not be able to tow the car without a differential or some other structure to hold the subframe A-arms in place. Otherwise, the wheels will retreat so far into the wheel wells that the car will drag on its frame and the interior ends of the sub frame.

You may be able to get by using a tow dolly with the rear of the car on the dolly, but you'd have to go really slow because the front ends of these cars are pretty loose.

Perhaps you could tow the car to the scrapyard first and then remove the differential there?

Ken300D

Exactly my experience.

The rear subframe is attached at three points, and one is the diff case.
You may be able to fab a bracket to hold the subframe up by attaching said bracket to the diff mount.

Jim

we thought of it but then thought.. well.. if its going to be draggin they might not like that on their scale... but so far its the only idea that will work

Got a PM from a forum member with a solution...it'll be rigged, but it worked for them...so I'll keep my mouth shut...until I've attempted it and it works. The tow vehicle is a '94 Caprice Wagon with an LT1 and T56 so I'll have plenty of power...but not if I'm draggin' azz all the way there.

lemme know when you want to do this... I've got tons of free time..

Jack up the two axles until they are level and square both up and down and front and back. Weld the axles together with angle iron or a pipe slipped over the axles or 2 flat bars. Use 7018 low/hi rods since the axles are high carbon steel. If you are only towing it a few miles at low speed it should get you there.

Perhaps the axles could be taken out to save them, and then chain the hubs together with about six feet of strong chain. You'd need to tow slowly though, because when the car bounced up, coming down it would snap the chain tight again.

:)

Ken300D

If you need a "plan B" I have a tow dolly you are welcome to use.

why not tow it safe and remove the diff at the yard?

I've thought about that first, but don't know if they yard will let me do that...as it's a dirt lot basically and I like to be under the car on concrete for stability. Last time I was there they already had about a dozen cars ahead of me so they come off as a "stack it high, watch it fly" type of place and don't have time for that. I'll call next week and see, but the solution presented to me sounds safer than anything offered so far...other than the dolly. I'll report back next week on the results. ;)

um, why not put the bad dif in the junk car...?

the Diff in the 300CDR(roadster) is currently in use... soooooooooooooooo I think it would be wise to keep it in there.. plus its still good...

the only issue that we have is the diff supports the rear subframe and etc...

my solution


massive quanties of duct tape

bungie cord?

Find a new friend with a flat bed.;) Is it that expensive to pay for a flat bed to tow it 15 miles?