[Darcane]

It may be possible to remove the one bolt, pry the differential down enough to get the old rubber out, leave the metal sleeve in, put in the new rubber, push the differential back up and put the bolt in it. You may be able to do this without even dropping the exhaust if you have thin hands. I can't say for sure because I dropped my exhaust before getting all of the bolts out of the differential.

Not really.

I just got done doing this and tried dropping just the front of the diff. I think the only way it will flex enough is if both rear bushings are shot too. Probably not even then. I'd recommend just following Paul B and 1990Z51's instructions exactly.

Having just did this with basic hand tools in a cramped garage that is utilized more for a storage unit than a workspace, I have a few observations:

• It's smart to make sure you have room to get the exhaust out from under the car. It's one piece and rather large. I wasn't smart here...
• The three differential mounting screws have a 21mm hex head. I have 19, 20, and 22mm sockets and my largest metric wrench is a 19mm. A 13/16" craftsman combination wrench will JUST fit, but won't slip on and off easily. It works, but was very time consuming to pull the rear bolts off. The 13/16" sockets fit too, but deep sockets were too long and shallow too short for the rear screws.
• I was expecting the old bushing to put up a fight... it literally fell out with just a small push after the differential was dropped.
• I ended up cutting the sleeve a little off my mark with the hacksaw, the part measured 2.47 inches. It fit fine.
• I have an extra bushing. It's free to anyone local (Seattle/Tacoma area).

All in all, it's easy even without a well equipped shop.

 

[Darcane]

I think, in hindsight, I would have done one thing differently: retorqued the bolts after a drive.

A few days ago, under some... brisk acceleration, something went thunk in the rear end. I got it home and checked underneath to find one of the three bolts holding the diff in place backed out half an inch. Looked closer... and the end was sheared off. My guess is that it loosened over time and then broke under load.

I've got two new bolts coming, figuring I should replace the left one too.

 

[Darcane]

Aw, nuts...

The only way to replace these bolts is to drop the whole cradle, right?

I got underneath the car and realized the spare tire tub is right behind these holes. So, it looks like the whole cradle has to come down unless there is some trick to it.