Need some tips / tricks for removing 9 inch third member

[BroncKrawler]

I've removed both axle shafts, rear drive shaft, all the bolts and copper washers from the third member. I've hit it with a dead blow every way imaginable, installed the u-joint bolts and slide a pipe in there to try and pry it out from the yoke, so far nothing has worked to budge this thing. What are some tips / tricks that I could try to help me remove the third member?

 

[Larry B]

I never had the problem removing one. May be put a couple bolts loose in the top so it does not fall and sharpen a cold chisle real sharp and drive it in the seam.

 

[Crude dude]

Ive never had this trouble either, maybe someone used liquid nails to seal it up? Try a floor jack under the yoke to see if it will break loose. Ive always used a smaller putty knife to tap into the gasket area and it works just fine. !!!!!! If you have the rear axle on jack stands due to the axles being out, pay close attention to NOT lift the axle off of the stands by jacking up the third member. If that third member broke free the truck could come down a little harsh!!!!!

 

[Rustytruck]

Once you get the nuts and copper washers off and the axle shafts out put a jack out near the end of the youlk and jack it up to break the seal then lower the jack. the pumkin has to come exactly straight back. its a tight fit around the studs and housing. watch your hands a 70 lb chunk of iron wants to remove your fingers and beat your hand to a pulp.

 

[JSBX]

I have used sharpened screw drivers are sharpened chisels to drive in between the chunk and housing especially if some type of sealer was used instead of a gasket.

 

[BroncKrawler]

I tried jacking the yoke with no luck. Someone has glued this sucker on there!!!! I'm going to go sharpen one of my wedges and see if that works, I appreciate the quick responses!

 

[BroncKrawler]

Well after I sharpened my chisel up I was able to break one side free and use a couple of pry bars to slowly work the third member out. It had some pretty serious RTV applied EVERYWHERE and some remanence of the copper washers probably also helped in keeping the third member locked into place

 

[NicksTrix]

sure you didn't forget that one nut hidden on the bottom?
no reason it shouldn't come out, the jack usually gets the most stubborn ones we encounter.
you could always try a come along from the yoke to the front end or cross member and get a nice straight pull.

 

[BroncKrawler]

I think with my new third member I'll drill and tap jacking bolt points on either side to help with quick removal next time!

 

[Larry B]

That would have been nice this time.