I've got a 3 foot crowbar and I still can't get either of the axles to come out of the diff. They are completed unbolted and removed from the hubs, so they are just sitting there but they wont pop out of the diff. And for anyone thinking of trying it you cannot get the diff out with out removing the axles.

Is it possible that when the diff broke it somehow locked the axles in? I am prying pretty hard and am afraid I am going to crack the case. It is enough to start deforming the large lug area on the axle.

I am close to just cutting the boots off just to get it out.

Can I unbolt anything inside the diff that may make it easier for the axles to come out?

 

It is possible that the tip could get marred if the diff blew up in the right way..if you can get the cover off you may be able to get to the other end of the axle and pry more directly on the end... either that or just keep working at, side to side...good luck

 

Get your pry bar in closer to the axle and they should pop out with relative ease.

 

Well, I got it out. I had to remove one of the boots and separate the axle then pull the diff out.
Symptoms; my wheels were locked in posi mode so when I turned the car actually stopped moving due to the lock up. I initially thought I broke a drive shaft and it got caught on a crack or something since the car stopped so abruptly.

One of the spider gears broke completely in half causing the rest to bind up. They wouldn't budge. There are pins thru them that hold them in place and then pins to hold those pins in place. But the second set of pins wont come out while the diff is in the case so I had to cut them with a chisel and then knock the other pins out. One was evidently bent causing me to bend punches and eventually had to drill a larger hole so I could use a larger punch. Once I got 3 of the pins out everything loosened up like normal and the axles popped right out.

That sucked, but at least I got it all apart with out damaging anything else.

I figured I'd post this incase someone else has an issue with axles.

 

I had the same thing happen about a week ago. Mine didn't fully bite the bullet though.

The pin sticking out in the first picture is sheared about 1/2" from the other end.

 

Damn and you told me just get the prybar closer. Guess yours still came out?

Here's a pic of the first thing I found when i took the cover off.

 

Holy crap man... Glad you got it out!