69 rear diff crossmember

[Greg L.]

I'm trying to remove the rear diff crossmember and it won't budge. I have the bolt on each side removed and have been "beating" on it with a hammer and block of wood but with no luck. Is there any tricks of the trade that I could use or am I going about it the right way? Oh ya, the frame is stripped and on saw horses so it is easy to get at. Thanks.

[William V.]

Re: 69 rear diff crossmember

Greg

Try a big pry bar between the frame and crossmember coming in from the outside. Be careful. They some times let go suddenly.

[Steve L.]

Re: 69 rear diff crossmember

Greg,
My 73 original diff crossmember, that was never touched, came off easy with a prybar. I put a chain around it and the frame to keep it from falling.

Someone else posted some times back, that they used a two jaw gear puller. They must have put the bolt back loosely so the gear puller has something to push against. This was my fallback method, but I never needed it.

I think this has to be pulled since it is somewhat plyable.Hammering gives it very short, intense strokes. The rubber probably absorbes most of it, after all, that's what it was designed for. I think it needs a long steady pull.

I freed once side first. Then the second side was easier since I could pry and twist at the same time.

Steve L
73 since new

[John H.]

Re: 69 rear diff crossmember

The gear puller method, bearing against the bolt on each side, isn't a great idea - if you bust the weldnut loose inside the "sombrero", you have another ugly job to do to replace it.

[Dick W.]

Re: 69 rear diff crossmember

I have a 60" prybar that I use. Sometimes, even with it, it can be difficult to remove

[Greg L.]

Re: 69 rear diff crossmember

Thanks guys. The prybar did the trick. I should have known better than to beat against something that is rubber mounted!