[longassname]

Yes, not a complete differential--the carrier. The carrier is the part that allows the axles to spin at different speeds. The parts inside of the carrier are the parts that usually go bad on the front wheel drive transmissions. If that is true in your case then all you need is a carrier not a whole new differential. Like tapani was saying, if you replace just the carrier then you don't have to open up the transmission to undo the stake nut on the pinion.

To replace the carrier you only have to unbolt the differential from the transmission. The carrier hangs/spins in the differential between the side plates. You remove the side plates to release the carrier. Unbolt your ring gear from your old carrier. Bolt your ring gear to your new carrier and hang it between the side plates again. You'll have to make a tool to remove, install, and adjust the side plates propperly but it's a lot smaller job than replacing a whole differential--that and luckily I happen to have a good carrier I'm happy to get rid of at the moment.

You just need to take your differntial off to make sure it is in fact your side gears inside your carrier and you don't have a broken ring and pinion.