Do you have to drop trans to replace differential bearing?

[ddschnabel]

I have a 1999 Dodge Stratus with a 2.4L with auto trans, 48,000 miles. There has been a loud grinding noise comming from the front end for a couple of weeks now. Sounds to be coming from the front left side closer to the center of the car. On a winding road, when leaning to the left, the noise is louder, when leaning to the right, the noise is quieter. I eliminated the wheel bearing, the half shaft by replacing it, and the tires by swaping. When I had the knuckle off, I carefully rotated the new half shaft when it was in the differential and I can feel what felt like flat spots in the bearing. I'm pretty certain the left side differential bearing is bad. My question is to anyone who has experience with this: can I get the differential out without dropping the transmission? The cover is easy, but I'm wondering if there is enough clearence to get the differential bearing retainer out. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

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