Brimmer,
I removed and replaced the differential carrier on my COE by myself with relative ease. It is a 2 speed so it is larger and heavier than yours. First I made 2 guide pins to replace the top two bolts (longer bolts with the heads cut off, slot filed in the end so you can screw them in). This is the same technique one uses to R&R a transmission.
I used a floor jack to support the carrier. Mine had a flat spot on the bottom and the carrier balanced well. Yours will, no doubt, be different but perhaps a wood block between the jack and carrier bottom could be fashioned to work. With the guide pins in place it was pretty easy and safe to slide the carrier forward out of the axle housing.
I could not find a gasket, so I used the Permatex product "Right Stuff" which is a rubber based, not silicone, gasket maker. One year and 500 road miles later there is not even a seep of gear oil.
When replacing, be sure to use the guide pins to help you align the carrier back into the axle housing.
Kent
