rear differential - pinion shaft removal

[Falco]

Howdy,

I've started to install my rear Baer kit (BTW, Mike@Rockville Speed really rocks :tup: ).

One of the first steps to remove the pinion shaft from the rear differential in order to be able to remove the axels. I've removed the little bolt, which supposed to keep the pinion shaft in place, but the shaft still doesn't want to go out. It has a little play (around 1mm), but that's all. I've even tried to tap both end of the shaft, but it didn't help. Am I missing something here? What should I do to get that shaft out?

Thanks in advance,

 

[Crazy J]

the retainer bolt may have broken, how long was it when you removed it? it should be almost 2" (iirc)
try to use a magnet and pull it out, if not you can try using a pick or something to spin it out (usually there is at least one thread left on it) and then use a magnet to pull it out. if that doesn't work you'll have to use a dremel or cutoff wheel to notch the end of the crosspin and get at it that way.

 

[Falco]

Thanks, that's what I though, even that the end of the bolt doesn't seems to be broken. BTW, its length could not be 2", it's closer to 1" IMHO. Current its U.H.L. is ~15 mm.

Anyone who have already seen such a bolt pls check this picture:

Thanks,

 

[Turboz]

IMHO that bolt is to short I believe that it is indeed broken it should be a lot longer than that.

 

[ItsMyTy]

yea the end is broken on that, there's normally another half to that bolt, that's not threaded

try to take a pick and spin the rest out

 

[Falco]

Thanks guys, I'll try to get that part out of there somehow...

Later,

 

[canadian]

do a search. i *know* there was a post where someone else ran into the exact same problem. here it is, dunno if it'll help or not.

http://syty.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=39846&highlight=axles

 

[MasterBlaster]

that is the post linked above.



there may be a little bit of thread left on the pin. If so, like said above, try to use a dental pick to kind of "spin" it out of the hole. It helps to spray the hell out of the hole with brake spray cleaner and lightly tap the carrier with a hammer while spinning out the busted piece. It can be taken out, just need a little patience and luck.

my next door neighbor had neither patience nor luck and he ended up cutting his carrier open with a dremel and a few dozen fiberglass cutting discs

 

[oldfooter]

Having been a mechanic for over 35 years I have seen this happen on many gm rearends. One trick we have used in my shop is to take a stick welder tape the rod everywhere except the very tip. Put the rod in the hole and hold against the broken bolt. Have a second person cycle the welder on them off. the rod has a tendency to stick to the bolt then turn the rod to remove. If this doesn't work break out the grinder and go at the pin an drive out the other side.