I just replaced a bad axle bearing on the passenger side of my '72 1200 and the play in the wheel lessened, but I could tell then from the way the wheel wiggles slightly that the passenger side diff bearing is totally shot. So I pulled the axles out, disconnected the drive shaft and removed the eight nuts that secure the gear carrier to the axle housing. But it won't budge. I tried banging on it with a fairly large ballpien hammer and even tried to drive a narrow chisel into the mating surfaces. The latter I didn't try too hard cause I didn't want to damage the surfaces.

The only other things I can think of to try is hit it with a bigger hammer, maybe a mini sledge, or attach a slide hammer to the input flange and tug it out. I'm a bit sketched out on both of those ideas. The slide hammer will likely damage the bearings on the pinion shaft.

So, are there any tricks here? It occurred to me afterward that what I thought to be a filler plug at the top, might actually be a setting screw. I've never used it to fill the diff with oil, since it's so awkwardly high. Instead I use the plug at the back to fill. None of my manuals mention removing that screw to disconnect the gear carrier.

Hi there...i also had the same problem...removing the diff carier...it wouldnt move an inch...them i had an idea...i got my jack...it is a bottle jack i had lying around...and i jacked up the under side of the carier...on the casting...no were near the flange...and it just poped out a bit...give it a try...no brut force or hamering involved...hehe...

Peace...

yes I think the jack method is what I used, it was a long time ago. In any case, no bolts on the top or back need to be undone.

Oh yeah, I tried the jack method too, but it just lifted the rear end off the axle stands. Maybe I should get all my buddies to sit in the back seat and try again.

I'm gonna go to this wrecker I spoke to on the phone. He said he has a bunch of Datsun diff's and rear ends, but they are only marked as Datsun. He couldn't tell me if he had a 1200 one. If I can find a suitable replacement, I'll just slide hammer the old one off.

For visual ID: the H145 is held on by studs. The H150 by bolts. Otherwise they are the same size diameter