HELP Rear 3rd member removal

I am changing out my 3rd members on 2000 tacoma 4x4, new 5.29 gears and lockers. Everything is/was smooth until I went to pull it out. I have all the bolts removed, actuator, axles slid out, etc but for what ever reason I can not get the top to release no matter how hard I wiggle, pull, pry, it's almost as if
there is still a fastener attached but I cant see one. I do have the 2 long studs pulled from the actuator, I'm at a loss of what to do here. My axles are free cause I can free spin the diff, it's right at the 12:30/ 1 o'clock position. If anyone has a tip or advice then I'd really appreciate it. TIA!!

 

Turn the part where the driveshaft bolts to a little at a time and keep wiggling.

 

Thanks will try that some more, guess eventually I'll hit the spot

 

Put it back flush with the housing and put some penetrating fluid there. Give it time to soak in and give some smacks with a bfh on the place where it is sticking. Then continue with pulling and prying and it should release if you haven't overlooked any mechanical interference.

 

You my be binding on the stud at the angle you are trying to pull at.

Put a screwdriver (or preferably a strip of brass) in the gap on each side as high up as you can. Use a dead blow hammer on the bottom side to shove the bottom back into position. Once you have it parallel to the face of the housing you should have an even gap all around and it should pry straight away without too much effort.

 

Was able to break it loose finally, so now even the gap all the way around and I think she'll pull out, Thanks for the advice!

 

If you have a dead blow hammer hit the third member housing hard on one side about halfway between the pinion flange and the axle facing side, then hit it on the opposite side (driver-passenger). After a couple hits it should break free evenly. If not you can continue to "walk" the third on the studs by repeating.

 

Thanks I actually did that, I finally was able to break it loose all the way around using that method, then my main problem was I didn't have the axles pulled out far enough, I measured the depth of new 3rd from ECGS and i needed 3.5" clearance , I only had about 3 so was far enough to disengage gears allowing the free spin of pinon but just not far enough for the axle to clear the housing. I got it all buttoned up and torqued down this morning. Now it's on to the front and the real fun!!! Plus the LBJ, outer tie rods, and CVs along the way. I want to thank everybody for their help and advice, I love this website and the ppl on it!!! Ppl here try to help rather than hate like some of the FB groups.