I had my rearend apart to do a 5 lug axle swap today and I had trouble getting this piece to go back in:

I ended up leaving it out. I didnt even see it in the pics of the differential in my Haynes manual where they showed how to take the axles out.
It fell out and there seemed to be no way this damn thing was going back in.
I hope its not completely necessary and wont really affect anything by not being there.

 

I just found out on another site that I definately do need this part.
Its the S spring for the differential.

Damn Im pissed I left it out now.

 

why did you take it out?? you dont need to remove that to slide 5 lug axles in

 

The spider gears fell out when I was rotating the axle and this spring moved too and I couldnt get the spiders back in right with it there.

This is the first time Ive ever had a rearend apart.

 

Agree!!!

Lesson learned! Never rotate the axles while the carrier pin is out. You found out the hard way. Is it back together now?

 

Good luck w/ that. BTW Paulmy supercharger will be here Thursday (19th)& be installed by Sun.

 

technically you dont have to put it in, but you'll have one wheel peels

 

No, its not in now. Ill hopefully put it in Wednesday because thats my next day off.
Im not driving the car anyway since its all apart in my friend's bodyshop.

I learned to turn the driveshaft instead of the axles.

 

Sweet. Id love to have one but not this year due to spending too much on motor parts and bodywork that seems like it will never get done.

 

Well I ended up putting this spring in today. Took a bit of work but its in there.