Differential removal question...
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Differential removal question...
I tried to remove the differential on my '68 to have somebody remove the pinion yoke so that I can install another pinion yoke so that I can hook up the temporary driveshaft..
I removed the spring, disconnected the strut rods and half shafts, removed the nut that holds the front of the differential against the bracket off the rear crossmember. Then I put a jack under the differential and removed the 2 bolts that hold that differential crossmember against the frame.. Now I tried to lower the differential down by lowering down the jack...
I was very surprised when the differential wouldn't come down...
Did I forget about something??
Why isn't it coming down??
I removed the spring, disconnected the strut rods and half shafts, removed the nut that holds the front of the differential against the bracket off the rear crossmember. Then I put a jack under the differential and removed the 2 bolts that hold that differential crossmember against the frame.. Now I tried to lower the differential down by lowering down the jack...
I was very surprised when the differential wouldn't come down...
Did I forget about something??
Why isn't it coming down??
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 2
From: Sherwood Park AB
It sounds like you got it all... I had the same problem. The metal stubs on the frame and the rubber bushings on the crossmember are stuck together.
The first time I removed it, I left it for a day, then came back and it fell on its own. I thought I would be smart and put anti-seize on the metal stubs. Anti seize was not a good idea, next time I will use poly grease.
The second time I removed it, tried prying with a 3' bar, air chisel, heat...
I ended up bending the tabs on the rubber crossmember bushing and then lowering the whole assembly.
Click on the link for a picture.
The first time I removed it, I left it for a day, then came back and it fell on its own. I thought I would be smart and put anti-seize on the metal stubs. Anti seize was not a good idea, next time I will use poly grease.
The second time I removed it, tried prying with a 3' bar, air chisel, heat...
I ended up bending the tabs on the rubber crossmember bushing and then lowering the whole assembly.Click on the link for a picture.
Last edited by rexx78; Feb 7, 2005 at 12:53 AM. Reason: pic didn't work, will explain link
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Originally Posted by rexx78
It sounds like you got it all... I had the same problem. The metal stubs on the frame and the rubber bushings on the crossmember are stuck together.
The first time I removed it, I left it for a day, then came back and it fell on its own. I thought I would be smart and put anti-seize on the metal stubs. Anti seize was not a good idea, next time I will use poly grease.
The second time I removed it, tried prying with a 3' bar, air chisel, heat... I ended up bending the tabs on the rubber crossmember bushing and then lowering the whole assembly.
Click on the link for a picture.
The first time I removed it, I left it for a day, then came back and it fell on its own. I thought I would be smart and put anti-seize on the metal stubs. Anti seize was not a good idea, next time I will use poly grease.
The second time I removed it, tried prying with a 3' bar, air chisel, heat...
I ended up bending the tabs on the rubber crossmember bushing and then lowering the whole assembly.Click on the link for a picture.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Originally Posted by RAT502
You need to give the crossmember a tap with a hammer where it connects to the frame, its a wedged/press fit..
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Originally Posted by RAT502
oh, did i say TAP? I meant a good F'N SMACK!!!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 173
From: Clayton NC
Do not use a puller as that cushion is really jammed onto the sombero and you will just deform it or strip the nut. Spray PB blaster or the like up into the bolt hole but so that it goes inbetween the cushion and the sombero. Let it sit for a day or so then hit it on either side of the crossmember near the cushion. Next when that doesn't release it insert a 2" long bolt thru both holes (so that the whole assy doesn't just fall on the floor when it comes loose) Get a 5 ft or so crow bar ( I got one a Lowe's for 20 bucks) and pry down between the cushion and the frame... It will take a LOT of force to get this apart. Dave..
The first time out takes a LOT of force to break the bond. A large bar 5 feet or bigger is needed. When it goes you will know it.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
I don't think that mine will be stuck that bad because the differential was out of the car about a year ago...so it's mot the same as removing it after 30 years...
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
Make your life easier...cut a small hole in the floor (above the diff) and unbolt to top of the cover...leave the crossmember in....Besides, for what your doing with that car the crossmember should be welded in!!
...redvetracr
...redvetracr
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Replace the two bolts but only about 1/2 way so the rearend doesn't fall on the floor then take 2 large chissels, one in front and one behind the crossmember on one side and use them like a pickle fork working back and forth witht he hammer driving them in between the frame and the crossmember. It works slick, doesn't damage anything and no chance of slipping.
The crossmember will drop onto the bolt and then do the other side.
The crossmember will drop onto the bolt and then do the other side.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 173
From: Clayton NC
Being removed as of late will not matter I installed mine on January 20th and then had to remove it January 27th due to a yoke issue. I was not even seated all the way b/c I never had the car's weight on it and it was harder to remove than the first time.. That is a TIGHT fit.. As usually Norval comes up with a better way. I tried wedges but I think the next time I will use chisels as wedges... Dave...
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Redvetracr, I like the idea of cutting the floorboard!.. I already got plenty of holes in it 
I can use sheet aluminum to cover the hole!
I can use sheet aluminum to cover the hole!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by GrandSportC3
I don't think that mine will be stuck that bad because the differential was out of the car about a year ago...so it's mot the same as removing it after 30 years...
What's mot?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by GrandSportC3
Tried the prybar with little success.. It's still stuck.. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
It took my 280lb dad on the end of a 5ft bar and me on a 3ft bar to get mine out. It had possibly been out recently since the differential fluid was changed and both spring ears were busted and rewelded onto the cover