I did it last summer and it took less than an hour to remove.
You have to undo shock bolts, pan hard rod bolt, lower control arms, upper arm,drive shaft, brake line, and e brake lines (had to cut them). The thing that helped me was a 1/2 inch breaker bar. I took the minimum amount of tools in, took my tools back out, then went back in and put the axle in a cart and then took it in and paid for it, took it outside, went and got the car with the pig carrier attached. Stood it up and walked it over to the pig carrier, set it in the carrier, strapped it in and drove it home.


Keep us posted.
Everet <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Everet - Sounds like I might be able to handle that job. The axle must have been an interesting-looking load on the carrier... More so if you would have strapped a set of antlers w/deer tag to it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

I will keep you posted on the decision regarding swapping axles vs. machining the 28 spline shafts to 26 spline specs. If I swap axles, I'm going to be adding to my list of items to sell...




1 OBX helical LSD for the front axle, with new carrier bearings and the "upgrade" case bolts and Belleville washers (all new)...

1 set of '94-'97 drums, pads and hardware (springs, etc, all new)...

1 set of rear axle bearings and seals for the 26 spline axle (i.e. the parts to rebuild both ends of the axle - all new)...

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

ouch.. can't afford this, but I really want it. Think it would be cool to have that ability to lock/unlock the rearend. There's a group intown that does drifting at the local racetrack and I think the Kia could do it if the rear axle was locked up and brought back down to stock or lower height. lol... a 4x4 suv drifting... sweet. lol. I'd of course put my lift back in and my mud tires back on before winter hits. I'd just cruise lowered for the summer. haha.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I think the Eaton LSD would be better-suited for that job. A Torsen-type would also work. But it sounded like the clutch-type LSDs were the more preferred type among the Miata drifters - this based on forum searches on the OBX and other 7" ring gear diffs for the front axle. Yep, there ain't nothing cheap about locking the Kia rear axles, unless you weld up the spider gears (very cheap). <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

On another note, I checked my parts pile and realized that I never ordered the axle bearings, only the pinion and carrier bearings. So I'm probably going to pull a 28 spline axle (complete) and go that route, versus modding the 28 spline shafts to fit the 26 spline housing and bearings... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Are the Eatons still made? If so, don't suppose you've got a part number?..

Eaton hasn't made any LSDs for the Sporty in years. There is a guy selling some of the few-remaining on eBay. He has both the 26 and 28 spline types - rear axle only. They sell for $599. He also has a non-eBay website: justdifferentials.com. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

I believe you can still get an LSD through a Kia dealer. More pricey, though.

For research sake, these are the links I found online.

web page
web page
web page
web page
web page
web page
web page
web page
web page
web page

Would someone confirm for me please, what spline I have in my Australian 1999 Sportage (auto transmission) - front and rear - 26 or 28 spline
Thanks <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I know this is a redundant response to the "lockers, lockers, lockers" thread. But I hate to leave a question hanging. The front axle is 26 spline. That is universal to all 1st generation Sportages. The rear differential on your 1999 is 28 spline. Kia switched the splines starting in 1998. Thus 1995-1997 models have 26 spline axles. All 1998 through the end of 1st gen production have 28 spline rear axles. And it doesn't matter if you have a 4x4, 2WD, manual or auto transmission. The rear axles are the same for any given model year. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />