Im trying to put in my new 456 gear front diff, but I can not get my diff out. A can of PB blaster and an impact gun can't get my axles unbolted from my diff! Any ideas or advice? I got the two back diff mounts lose, but cant budge the front one or any of the bolt mounting my axles? Can I cut em out if I decide to replace them any ways?

 

Use a blow torch and try and heat them up.
Are you using an air impact?

 

why not get a breaker bar with a pipe on it to looses up the bolts.

 

Not trying to be a douche, but I have read here in the past of people trying to loosen from the diff side. The bolts are knurled and pressed in from the diff side. You have to loosen the nuts on the outb'd side only. Mine came off with an impact from the outb'd side.

X2 for the cheater bar if necessary.

 

Make sure your turning the right part of the CV bolts. Turn the outside nuts not the inside ones.

x2 using a propane torch to heat them up.

EDIT: Dang, beaten my less then a minute from angrybob. lol.

 

^x3 -- The inner bolts are splined STUDS that are not supposed to turn. Remove the nuts on the outside (PB Blaster and cheater pipe are your friend), then press/hammer out the studs and grind off the splines to make them into removable bolts. Then next time it will be MUCH easier.

 

yep, using an air impact. I dont have the truck jacked up, so its an awkward posistion to try and use the breaker bar and pipe. I was trying it on the inside bolts. I will try the outboard nuts. thanks guys

 

Set parking brake, lock the hubs and put it in 4wd, put the trans in 5th.

 

Yeah, inside bolts are not going to move. AT ALL. I removed my CV''s while the truck was sitting on all 4's.

 

cool thanks guys. question also, I dont have to take my whole hub apart to replace the axles do I? Just take the covers off and remove that single "bolt with washer" as the FSM calls it. I just dont want to have to take my hub apart again and mess with the bearing preload

 

Correct. Just take the hub dial off and the single bolt/star washer. No need to mess with the 54mm nuts.

 

Put a 17mm wrench, closed end, on the nut. Use your LEGS to push them off.
If that doesn't work, get out the grinder.
I know i couldn't get mine out without using the strength of my legs v. my arms. The drivers side can be done from the front, the passengers from underneath.

 

awesome, suiting up now for the freezing voyage to my garage!

 

Something to consider: It can be hell getting the CV shaft separated 'in the field'. My is mainly for offroad so I pressed them out using an air hammer (was like butter) and installed a regular bolt and nut in their place - 4 in a row on each side - so the CV will separate easily from the diff shaft.