So I took my crv out in the desert where she didn't belong and ended up cracking the rear differential on a rock. The Crack is probably about a 1/4" long. I have priced out parts and labor and for a new differential I'm looking at 1200 to 2200 dollars. I have someone cold welding it now and I'm hoping that it will hold for a while. My question is, do you have to take apart axle and drum brakes to switch out the whole differential? Or can I just remove the differential and swap it out? Also, is there a plate on the bottom i can just switch out or is it all one piece? I've found a differential at a junk yard for $300. Also, my car had 220,000k miles on it. She isn't worth much on blue book. But I feel I could run her upwards of 300,000 miles before she is done. Is it worth replacing? Or should I cut my losses and start looking for new vehicle. I'm really bummed out. Just spent $700 on some sweet bf Goodrich all terrain tires two days before I cracked her... any insight on how to install a rear differential, on how long jb weld might last as patch, or if I should just cut losses, please let me know. Thank you!

 

Hi, you do not have to take out the rear axles from the wheels to remove the rear differential. When you remove all the differential's mounting bolts and lower the differential, pry out the axles and slide them out as you keep lowering the differential.

Did not want to spend money on a repair. I completely removed the rear differential, propeller shaft and most of the two rear axles except the part that goes through the wheel bearing, held with a nut (32mm), this must stay there.