Removal of front 3rd member with factory locker

[blunt]

Hi,

I broke something in my 3rd member and have removed both axle shafts and all of the "normal" bolts/nuts from around the flange and the 3rd member won't come out (even with a little pry bar force). Do I need to remove all of the bolts around the locker actuator first? Any diagrams or advice would be very much appreciated.

 

[Douglas S]

A couple of the bolts go through the actuator housing to hold on the third member.

 

[akarilo]

Lock the front diff so it will clear the pumpkin so you can slide it out. And yes, the nuts on the studs that hold the motor on have to be removed.

 

[blunt]

I had the 4 bolts around the actuator out (facing the rear of the vehicle). I wonder if it is that it needs to be locked? There are also 2 bolts on the side of the housing facing the passenger tire, do those need to be removed also?

 

[blunt]

I don't have a battery in the truck either. Is there a way to lock the actuator easily another way or is that likely not the problem?

 

[Douglas S]

I don't think I locked mine when I removed it, but it's been a while.

 

[akarilo]

I don't have a battery in the truck either. Is there a way to lock the actuator easily another way or is that likely not the problem?

You do have to lock it, but it can be done manually. Remove the locker actuator motor and then slide the grooved bar/rod to the left (towards the pumpkin). This is easily achieved with a flat blade screwdriver.