I have a 2002 Toyota Tacoma trd with a rear locker, I am trying to replace the inner and outer bearings in the rear diff.i have locked the rear diff, removed the driveshaft, pulled out the axles, and removed the 10 bolts holding the diff housing together. I can see a crack almost all the way around the diff except in one spot near the bottom on the driver side and I am scared to pry to hard on it! can anyone help?

 

A Crack in the differential or a gap as between the differential and the housing as you have tried to remove the differential?

Post a picture of what you mean

 

I actually got it apart about an hour ago! The housing would not slide off one of the bolts that was at the e-locker. I am now trying to figure out which inner and outer pinion bearings I need

 

copy/pastes from my website.....Prices are probably out of date but the part numbers are accurate. If you have difficulties I will try to help.
Ken

outer pinion bearing
KOYO STA3072 verified (90366-30067 $49.93 retail)

inner pinion bearing
TWB TR070904 same verified
KOYO TR070904-1-N cone/TR070904-1-9 cup (90366-35087 $76.45 retail)verified

carrier bearing
case side------KOYO TR100802-1 cone/TR100802-2 cup verified (90366-50007 $46.33 retail)
ring side BIG side------KOYO 32915JRYA1-N cone/32915JR-N cup (Toyota # 90366-75001 $29.44 retail) verified

 

Yeah, those long studs that hold the locker actuator on can really seize up with rust. You can't be too rough with the actuator either, because it has an aluminum body which can break.

 

What reason/symptom are you replacing the pinion bearings? Was it vibrating really bad at all speeds?