over siliconed-no gasket rear diff cover, removal suggestions?

[Diskord]

Sorry in advance if this has been discussed before, and I was just unable to locate it via search. Does anyone have suggestions as to how to remove a rear diff cover that was sealed with silicone only, no gasket, painted over, etc. I'm about to the point of just hammering away at it with a thin screwdriver, but I really don't want to risk distorting the cover.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Pighead]

Just slip the corner of a putty knife, or other very skinny blade, in between the cover and the axle. Tap in a circular fashion...

 

[Fast Eddy]

Use a pickle fork...

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

X 2 what Pighead wrote.

Good luck!

Alan

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Just slip the corner of a putty knife, or other very skinny blade, in between the cover and the axle. Tap in a circular fashion...

 

[Diskord]

putty knife, ill give that a shot thanks.

fast eddy: pickle fork, as in ball joint separator, or a fork designed to get pickled cucumbers out of a jar If the former, how the hell does that work? If the latter, well I like pickles, but I don't think that will help with the cover.

 

[Fast Eddy]

fast eddy: pickle fork, as in ball joint separator,

Just a wedge that you can hit with a hammer. Get it started and split each side, or maybe two spots on each side. I'm not saying it's a better idea, just another idea.

 

[My71FJ40]

... I'm not saying it's a better idea, just another idea.

That is funny

 

[BigBlueCruiser]

I've seen guys use a floor jack under the pinion with good success. If you use the puddy knife just be careful not to mar the surface.

 

[Diskord]

The putty knife worked perfectly, thanks again.

4.11 gears, correct?

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

BigBlueCruiser, the floor jack is a useful way to bust-loose a third member from the axle housing; the question here was removing the rear diff inspection cover (present on semi-floating Land Cruiser rear axle assemblies.)

But, thanks for sharing this tip - he may need it for the next step in the project!

Regards,

Alan

I've seen guys use a floor jack under the pinion with good success. If you use the puddy knife just be careful not to mar the surface.

 

[NoeyR]

Hi All:

BigBlueCruiser, the floor jack is a useful way to bust-loose a third member from the axle housing; the question here was removing the rear diff inspection cover (present on semi-floating Land Cruiser rear axle assemblies.)

But, thanks for sharing this tip - he may need it for the next step in the project!

Regards,

Alan

I'm at the stage of removing my front diff to install a locker. Is it ok to put all that stress on the pinion flange with a floor jack without harming anything?
I recently just replaced a leaking front pinion seal....

 

[amaurer]

I'm at the stage of removing my front diff to install a locker. Is it ok to put all that stress on the pinion flange with a floor jack without harming anything?
I recently just replaced a leaking front pinion seal....

Don't put it on the flange, put it on the housing.

 

[Diskord]

And it does work beautifully.