jeepwm69 6,581 Posted June 22, 2022 2013 Rubicon rear diff. Pinion bearing is seized (was sitting up) Trying to get the coupler off, so I can get the seal out of the way and remove the pinion gear, replace the pinion gear bearing. I’ve tried catching a drift on that little collar to hammer it off but not enough there to really catch on. Same thing when trying to use a puller. Anyone else have a creative way to get this out? No retaining nut on the 500 coupler, just splines (which apparently have rusted together). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fishfiles 17,035 Posted June 22, 2022 That can be a bad situation -------- I would heat the coupler with a torch to start with , cause I am a torch kind of guy ----- I'd try and get some Kroil in there ,which might be tuff , if you flush the oil out the diff , then spray Kroil in while the diff's pinion is facing down , so maybe the Kroil will run into the coupler , but I don't have a lot of faith in that ---- if that did not work I would try and cut the coupler with the torch ( that's a oxy/ acc torch ) and try to save the pinion , but I am going to say the pinion will likely not make it 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeepwm69 6,581 Posted June 22, 2022 Yeah that’s the trick. The gears were good and the inside of the diff actually didn’t look bad, but the pinion bearing will only allow the gear to turn about 10° No problem replacing the bearing if I can get this coupler off. I have the star nut socket to get that weird retaining nut out Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fishfiles 17,035 Posted June 22, 2022 I have had 450 couplers stick on the front diff and the back diff , the 2nd gen 450s ( 2002 - 2004 ) also don't have pinion nuts Thinking out the box here , sacrifice the coupler , last one I bought was about $50 , weld something to the sides of the coupler and use a slide hammer or a puller , use a threaded puller and push off the end of the pinion does you coupler have an exposed lip where you could use a bearing splitter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeepwm69 6,581 Posted June 23, 2022 1 hour ago, Fishfiles said: I have had 450 couplers stick on the front diff and the back diff , the 2nd gen 450s ( 2002 - 2004 ) also don't have pinion nuts Thinking out the box here , sacrifice the coupler , last one I bought was about $50 , weld something to the sides of the coupler and use a slide hammer or a puller , use a threaded puller and push off the end of the pinion does you coupler have an exposed lip where you could use a bearing splitter Now there’s something I haven’t thought about! I have a bearing splitter like that. I will try that and if it doesn’t work I will sacrifice the coupler 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeepwm69 6,581 Posted June 23, 2022 @Fishfiles for the win! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fishfiles 17,035 Posted June 24, 2022 Nice you had tools to work with --- " the best tool in the box is imagination " 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeepwm69 6,581 Posted June 24, 2022 Other than the large pinion bearing this rear diff was an excellent shape! Must have set up for a while with water on the bearing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fishfiles 17,035 Posted June 24, 2022 Aye , matey !!! Pump then pack her full of 50/50 mix Lucas Hub Oil and Marine Grease and she be ready to take it deep and battle the Kraken !!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
