I was pulling the front axle to replce the torn inner boot today, but i couldnt get the inner joint off the diff. I pulled everything else aprt and cleaned it up, but in order to get the new inner boot on i still need to get the part off my truck. when i pull it feels like tere is something holding it in,but i cant figure out what it is. The part that is still stuck to my 97 4runner is outlined in red in the diagram. if anyone can help that would be great cause i really need to get my 4runner up and running again.

 

did you try a big screwdriver/prybar and pry against the dif to pop out the inboard joint?

 

Wow thats different from my 2nd gen. I have 6 bolts - no snap ring on the inboard side.

 

Yea, that's way different from mine too. When i changed took that off to replace a torn boot, i had to jack the A-arm up until the axle assembly was basically going straight into the diff (no angle at all) Before i figured this out, i spent hours trying to move it, afterwards, it came right out.