Hey all...I just want to pass this info on in case it might help anyone in a similar situation that I was in.

For anyone who lives in the rust belt, this may help you. I was getting frustrated because I could not get my unbolted rear third loose from the axle housing on my 94 4Runner. I tried getting a screw driver under there, pry bar, crow bar....kicking the side of it...hitting it with a BFH...but I didn't want to damage it or hit the flange dust shield...nothing was helping me. The rear axle is pretty rusty.

I was sitting there staring at it when I thought I'll try putting my 4 ton jack under the third by the end before the dust shield. The 4Runner is sitting on jackstands near the rear of the truck and I just put on never used Downey 1 1/2" lift coils. I was hoping that by jacking the rear axle up and compressing the coil springs, it would pop off the third and lo and behold, it did. I didn't take pics but after the third popped off, it came off the bottom studs but was still on the top ones...and it was stuck. **EDIT Looking back, I would have put a nut on loosely on one of the bottom studs to prevent it from coming off the studs** I thought I was screwed. I laid on my side and started to kick the third when she finally loosened up!! Good to go...

I was searching for how to remove a third and didn't see this method at all. I'm not saying it's never been done before but just wanted to post it up...

 

thx for the post, i'll be able to use that tip

 

No problem. I hope this helps more than just you...I was stumped for awhile when it came to me. Like I added to the original post, I would add a nut to one of the bottom studs loosely to prevent it from coming off the bottom studs and having to "boot" it off the studs. You may be surprised by how many pumps on the jack it will take you to pop it off. Took more than I thought it would...and I just put on new Downey 1.5" lift coils on also....