Can't separate rear drive shaft flange from diff.

I am trying to trace a low speed drive line vibration, so I am pulling the drive shaft. I have the center support bearing loose, and all four bolts between the rear flange and the differential out. The flange is still stuck to the diff though.

How hard can I bang on the flange? I have given it a few wacks with a hammer, and tried driving a flathead screw driver between them, but so far nothing. I don't want to damage anything, and if I move things around too much the slip joint starts pulling out (and I don't want the splines exposed until the shaft is off the car.

I can pull the bolts out of the front flange too, but I am not sure it will be any different.



Any suggestions?

 

Put steady bearing back in to hold the drive shaft then get a dead blow ( rubber mallet) and just wack the flange till she comes loose. Put your purse down and it will come off GL

 

Most likely just surface rust, try a dead blow or big rubber hammer. try not to whack it too hard with regular hammer, use a block of wood to whale on if you only have a hard hammer. Before you remove it, make a mark on the flange so it can be re-installed in the same orientation.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll out some mustard behind it (with wood block cushion). I was hesitant to hit it too hard.

 

Keep in mind that the ds flange won't move sideways, a round lip on the that flange prevents sideways movement and helps line up the flanges when re-attaching. The shaft must move towards front to separate.

Use some solvent (like PB blaster) first. When it does come loose, it can drop hard on whatever is underneath, so be careful. I like to suspend some rope just underneath the lower end of the shaft to prevent it from dropping to far when it does finally break free.

 

Don't hit it with a hammer too hard. You can break the yokes. Put a probar in there and pry it off. You can tap on I with a deadblow at the same time as prying, this will help. Hit if you hit the shaft directly it will mess up the balance.

 

^^
This. I didn't catch it on time and it landed safely on my arm. Sucked.

 

Hey folks, I had preemptively soaked the flange and bolts with PB blaster. The next day a short pry bar popped it loose with zero effort.

Thanks for the advice. My new zerks, and clean and freshly lubed splines thank you.

 

I found that removing the tiny 6 mm zerk that greases the slip- splines the best route. It decompresses the driveshaft, and makes it way easier to come apart.

 

this and hit it harder with your purse

 

Apply anti seize compound to the two faces before reassembling.