How far out do the rear axle shafts need to slide out to get the third member out?? I'll be changing my rear third tommorrow and it looks like I might have enough brake line to get the shafts out far enough without removing the lines. Does anybody know?? It would be nice to NOT have to bleed the brakes. Oh yeah...89 reg cab 4x4...if that matters. Thanks
Mike

 

Only 1" or 2". The big thing is to make sure to not leave them sitting on the seals. Slide them back in and loosely bolt the plates if the third is going to be out for much time at all.

 

I'd go 3 inches. If you don't go far enough the third get's hung up on them and makes it a pain to get out. X2 on not letting them rest on your seals. Prop them up on something to support them. A sandwich baggie zip tied to your brake hardline works well to keep brake fluid from running out all over the place. Oh ya and don't forget to drain your third before you start. Piece of cake job.