Quote Originally Posted by Rico View Post
Ah, that makes perfect sense. The differential may flop on one side or the other without at least one axle in place. The axle will hold the output shaft which holds the differential square to the case.

You learn something every day.
Uh..What?

The diff cover holds the diff up. The output shaft is supported by the guts of the trans that it passes through. There isn't any worry of misalignment etc when you have both axles out. otherwise guys R&R'ing transmissions would have some other magical J tool in their stash to hold the guts in properly.