LOL I almost removed mine a couple weeks ago when I did the locker. my carrier was a pain to get out too a couple of timesYep, what they said. I just finished a ring and pinion change in the Dana 44. I started off with the plan to do the work with it still in the Bronco but quickly realized the extra 30 minutes to remove springs, tie rod, track bar and radius arms was definitely worth it versus doing all that crap on my back... plus I have arthritis in both knees and my back so up and down repeatedly is no fun.
The hardest part with mine was getting the carrier out, after that things went smooth. I purposely did the Dana first to get it out of the way.
DJs74
LOL I almost removed mine a couple weeks ago when I did the locker. my carrier was a pain to get out too a couple of times
I did the same thing with the bearings, can't believe they want so much. brother has a set that he made as well, I just wanted my own as I hate borrowing stuff. good idea on the removal, I just pried mine out. I think if I could make a small enough bar with a curve/hook or something would work. pretty sure the easy why is remove the pinion%)I was actually able to get the carrier out with the Dana 44 while it was still in the Bronco. My first approach was the traditional prying but the floor and the oil pan said no. So I thought for a little bit and come up with the idea to use a turnbuckle and a chain... wrapped the chain around the carrier body, hooked the turnbuckle to chain and on other end to a hole in the frame up by the steering box, caps on loosely so the carrier didn't come at me like a cannon ball. Started cranking and nothing, gave it a couple more and still nothing - by this time the chain was more than tight so I gave one of the ring bolts a gentle tap with the sledge to introduce a little shock and it popped right out.
I knew the carrier would require a lot of install / uninstall until I got the shims right so I decided to pull the whole thing out.
I was going to purchase the carrier setup bearings until the guy at Randy's told me the price so I ordered 2 extra new ones and machined them so they slid on by hand. $15 + some labor beats the hell out of $90
DJs74
Much easier if you have a case spreader and good bearing puller. Also set up bearings because you have to take em on and off a few times to get shims right. You can grind out your old carrier bearings to make a set. Also if your swapping gears you need a different carrier at 393 but it's been a while. Can't remember if it's 393 and or 393 and down where it's different. Stock is a 3 series for 350s.
Putting the bronco up on a lift for this job takes about 90% of the work out of it. It's one of those jobs you tip toe into the first time, then jump right in after that.
One other reason for possibly fewer jobs being done on the front than the rear is that, if you're not changing the gear ratios, the fronts are hardly ever used in most Broncos and therefore don't need any work done to them....
I am days away from beginning my Dana 44 gear swap. I have all my parts, just need to dive into it. I did the rear 9" a couple months ago, my first ever R&P swap, plus added a Yukon Grizzly. You all say it is easy, and I guess I would kind of agree, after what I learned. The 9" is still a pile of work, took me forever! The Dana 44 has me nervous, sounds plenty difficult. I like the idea of getting the axle up on the bench. My plan is to powder coat the front axle to match the rear, so hopefully I stick with that plan. The 9" center section being on the bench, that made it much easier. Not breaking your back and knees, light is good, etc., everything is right in front of you..... I have 4.27's going in the front with a Power Lock. I had no choice but to buy a new carrier, 4.27's are not available in thick gears.
Brent