differential question

Trying to get off differential for rebuild. Is best way to drop with the crossmenber? I removed bolts to rubber bushing, but doesn't come down. I evern put crowbar to it. Don't know how aggressive to be. Am I missing something? Haynes manual is useless. Do metal tabs on bushings have to be bent over? Thanks

Ya might drop the gear cluster first and then drop the housing and crossmember together. Less weight to handle, and less awkward.

Hi halsted, drop the cross member and differential together, remove the front mounting bolt under the U-joint, remove the bolts through the rubber cross-member bushings, pry forcefully, you don't need to bend the tabs on the bushings, they anchor the bushing in the cross-member. the rubber fits in a cup and could be rusted in, you may have to use heat but I didn't have to. I replaced the bushings during the re-build.

Thanks for help. I will apply more force.

I was always told never to use "more force". I was always told to go get a bigger hammer.
 

 
 

The only time I need a bigger hammer is while persuading something on the wife's Ford.