Bearing preload shims are under the carrier bearing cups in the extension housings.....,,no they will not fall out . No is it required to replace them unless your changing the carrier.
The 02 Caravan has a rather large aluminum support/crossmember right behind the trans thats holds the rack and pinion assy and the lower control arms attach to .
I have serious doubts you will be able to get the carrier out of the trans case with this crossmember / support in place,,
I always just drop the trans.
Odds are you have a busted case anyway . I can have them out in under an hour
the more i look at this, you are probably right. i'll bet the case is toast behind the ring gear. so, next question is, what are the differences between 95 & 2000 transaxles, other than the electrics ? is it possible to use a different year and swap in my electrical parts ?
