How to remove and install a Differential on Ford Thunderbird?

First, take out the right half shaft. After that, push the drive shaft forward and lay it against the driveshaft hoop. Jack up and support differential housing then detach bolts holding the rear mount in place. Take off the rear mount from carrier cover. At this time, you may remove front mounting bolts, nuts, bushings, and washers. Put on a pry bar and lower housing to the right while still allowing it to move aside slightly so that you can disconnect the left half shaft with a prybar. Replace differential side seals. Plug it into the left side of the housing and lower completely into position. Substitute side oil seals during the installation process. On the left half shaft, fit a new circlip properly. Lubricate the spline of left half shaft properly. Position the carrier on jack and finally lift slightly to align the left half shaft into differential side gear. Attach carrier to front mounting bolts and engage left half shaft until circlip is seated in differential side gear. Install bushings, washers, and nuts in front mount as well as tighten them adequately for security purposes. Attach the rear mount to housing cover.

Genuine Ford Thunderbird Differential

Front Differential

Select Vehicle by Model
Select Vehicle by VIN

Select Vehicle by Model

Make

Model

Year

Select Vehicle by VIN

For the most accurate results, select vehicle by your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).

7 Differentials found

View related parts
Ford Thunderbird Differential Case
Part Number: E7TZ-4204-A
$136.20 MSRP: $229.00
You Save: $92.80 (41%)
Ships in 1-3 Business Days
ADD TO CART
Product Specifications
- Other Name: Case - Differential
- Replaced by: 5R3Z-4205-AA
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Ford's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 1980-1997 Ford Thunderbird | 4 Cyl 2.3L, 6 Cyl 3.3L, 6 Cyl 3.8L, 8 Cyl 4.2L, 8 Cyl 4.6L, 8 Cyl 5.0L | 3AT C3, 3AT C4, 3AT C5, 4AT 4R70W, 4AT A4LD, 4AT AOD, 5MT
View related parts
Ford Thunderbird Differential Case
Part Number: XW4Z-4204-AA
$48.84 MSRP: $64.77
You Save: $15.93 (25%)
Ships in 1-2 Business Days
ADD TO CART
Product Specifications
- Other Name: Case - Differential
- Replaces: F5AZ-4204-A
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Ford's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 2002 Ford Thunderbird | 8 Cyl 3.9L DOHC EFI NA | 5-Speed Automatic Transmission NAAO 5R55N, Left Hand Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive (Left Hand Drive)
- 1990-1997 Ford Thunderbird | 6 Cyl 3.8L, 8 Cyl 4.6L, 8 Cyl 5.0L | 4AT 4R70W, 4AT AOD, 5MT
View related parts
Ford Thunderbird Differential Case
Part Number: E7TZ-4204-B
$49.84 MSRP: $69.23
You Save: $19.39 (29%)
Ships in 1-2 Business Days
ADD TO CART
Product Specifications
- Other Name: Case - Differential
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Ford's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 1985-1997 Ford Thunderbird | 4 Cyl 2.3L, 6 Cyl 3.8L, 8 Cyl 4.6L, 8 Cyl 5.0L | 3AT C3, 3AT C5, 4AT 4R70W, 4AT A4LD, 4AT AOD, 5MT
View related parts
Ford Thunderbird Differential Case
Part Number: F5AZ-4204-A
$48.84 MSRP: $64.77
You Save: $15.93 (25%)
Ships in 1-2 Business Days
ADD TO CART
Product Specifications
- Other Name: Case - Differential
- Replaced by: XW4Z-4204-AA
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Ford's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 1990-1997 Ford Thunderbird | 6 Cyl 3.8L, 8 Cyl 4.6L, 8 Cyl 5.0L | 4AT 4R70W, 4AT AOD, 5MT
View related parts
Ford Thunderbird Differential Case
Part Number: 3W4Z-4204-AA
Product Specifications
- Other Name: Case - Differential
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Ford's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 2003-2005 Ford Thunderbird | 8 Cyl 3.9L DOHC EFI NA | 5-Speed Automatic Transmission 5R55S, Left Hand Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive (Left Hand Drive)
View related parts
Ford Thunderbird Differential Case
Part Number: F5AZ-4204-B
Product Specifications
- Other Name: Case - Differential
- Replaced by: 1616
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Ford's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 1990-1997 Ford Thunderbird | 6 Cyl 3.8L, 8 Cyl 4.6L, 8 Cyl 5.0L | 4AT 4R70W, 4AT AOD, 5MT
View related parts
Ford Thunderbird Differential Assembly
Part Number: E9SZ-4026-B
Product Specifications
- Other Name: Differential Assy
- Replaced by: 2L5Z-4026-AA
- Warranty: This genuine part is guaranteed by Ford's factory warranty.
Fits the following Vehicles:
- 1986-1995 Ford Thunderbird | 4 Cyl 2.3L, 6 Cyl 3.8L, 8 Cyl 4.6L, 8 Cyl 5.0L | 3AT C3, 3AT C5, 4AT 4R70W, 4AT A4LD, 4AT AOD, 5MT

Ford Thunderbird Differential

The vehicles known as Ford Thunderbird employ Differentials so as to distribute the power of the car's engine to the driving wheels and make smooth turns and gain purchase on the ground surface. Front-wheel-drive Thunderbirds want the differential on the front wheel while the rear-wheel drive has it positioned between the rear wheels. An additional attribute of 4WD Thunderbirds is an intermediate shaft joining the front and rear axles. Two major types of differentials are common in Thunderbirds and these are open differentials and limited slip differentials (LSD). Open differentials enable wheels to rotate at dissimilar speeds relative to each other, while LSDs distribute the torque unevenly between the wheels depending on the tractiveness of the surfaces. Hence, constant check up and servicing of the differential should be done to avoid any problems and enhance efficiency. Performance Thunderbirds may need to change to different ratio ring & pinion sets or limited slip differentials as acceleration and tractions would be a plus.

We provide a wide range of Ford Thunderbird Differential at the best prices possible. If you need Ford Thunderbird Differential, you can shop with confidence on our website. All our OEM parts come with a manufacturer's warranty and are delivered to your door step with a fast delivery service.

Ford Thunderbird Differential Parts Questions & Experts Answers

Differential Assembly
E9SZ-4026-B
Q: How to remove and install a Differential on Ford Thunderbird?
A: First, take out the right half shaft. After that, push the drive shaft forward and lay it against the driveshaft hoop. Jack up and support differential housing then detach bolts holding the rear mount in place. Take off the rear mount from carrier cover. At this time, you may remove front mounting bolts, nuts, bushings, and washers. Put on a pry bar and lower housing to the right while still allowing it to move aside slightly so that you can disconnect the left half shaft with a prybar. Replace differential side seals. Plug it into the left side of the housing and lower completely into position. Substitute side oil seals during the installation process. On the left half shaft, fit a new circlip properly. Lubricate the spline of left half shaft properly. Position the carrier on jack and finally lift slightly to align the left half shaft into differential side gear. Attach carrier to front mounting bolts and engage left half shaft until circlip is seated in differential side gear. Install bushings, washers, and nuts in front mount as well as tighten them adequately for security purposes. Attach the rear mount to housing cover.