Removing third member on 8" rear end

Cougar Community Classic Cougar Maintenance Restoration and Repair
1

I’ve got both of my axles and wheel bearing removed from my 67. I unbolted the driveshaft. Then I loosened all the nuts holding the third member into the axle housing until they were only a couple of turns on the posts. I thought with the weight of the third member, one good jiggle, and it would break loose and start draining oil.

I jiggled and nothing. I tried sticking a paint scraper and a flathead into the seal. Neither one would penetrate. I tried tapping the thing with a big hammer. Nothing.

Am I missing something in this process?

Do I need to pull that weird square-holed vent screw in the back of the housing?

I don’t think it’s been removed in 52 years, but I can’t believe it’s this tough.

My next thought it to put a jack under it to press it up, but I thought I’d get some advice in case I’m missing a vital step. I don’t want to destroy anything.

Thanks in advance.

2

Each of those nuts holding the differential to the axle housing has a copper crush washer on the stud to prevent leaks. You need to pry each washer loose. Then the differential will fall out.

3

I have had to separate them with a sharpened old screw driver, some fall apart some don’t.

4

Thanks guys. I’ll tackle that tonight and order a new set of washers, so I can put it back in.

5

If you have a Harbor Freight Tools nearby, they sell a copper washer assortment that’ll have more than you need for seven bucks or so.