Need some advice before I Bubba something. Have everything rear of the transmission yolk out of the car and lying on the garage floor. Removed the diff cover to discover severely worn stub axle shafts, one worn down through the snap ring groove and the snap ring MIA. The ends are mushroomed a bit so they won't slide out. What's the procedure for removing the side yolks when the ends are shroomed out? Trying to rebuild as much of this car as I can on my own, to say "I did that" but don't want to be telling that to the flat-bed driver either, so maybe it's time to write the check to Bair's. Thanks for advice, Jim

|UPDATED|3/20/2016 3:22:20 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I've run into this many times repairing GM diff's. Bite the bullet and go to your local tool store and buy a slide hammer kit. Cost about $70 at Harbor Frieght. You'll have those stub axels out in no time. You will need someone to hold the diff. when your try to remove them. Good Luck !

+1 on the slide hammer. The yokes are junk anyway, so there's no worries aboot messing them up. Just make SURE there is no piece of the snap-ring left in the end of the yoke. Plus...where did that pesky snap-ring go? Have you found it/them?

The snap ring on the right was still attached to the axle and came out with a little fight. The missing ring from the left is still MIA. If I don't find it in the bottom of the housing, I'll have to strain the oil and hope it's in there. Heading to harbor freight for an engine stand tomorrow, so I'll add a slide hammer to the list. What's the best way to clean out the internals?

Brake cleaner...

just a note from a old timer   half my liver doesn't work now    toxis  got in blood ,  my time is short but use a mask and gloves when using brake clean or other products    you breath in flume and if on hand goes right to your  liver  I know  just be safe      to many years in garages  didn't know then know now      dwa        also  you find c clip in bottom  not frist one to fall out.

DWA - taking your advice seriously. Thank you.  I had respirator and gloves on, looked like I was cooking up some illegal substances outside the garage.  May have scared the neighbors.  Still no sign of the c-clip.  

They're out!  Didn't want to spend $70 on the deluxe slide hammer so I cheaped out on the $21 version.  Did the job but turned out to be a 1 use tool.  Typical harbor freight crap.