Any ideas on how to get a stubborn diff off?

[Lurker27]

I'm stripping a 91 535i with the winter package 3.46 LSD. The half shafts in back are very very difficult to get off the diff itself...I believe I have probably stripped a couple of the 8mm allen heads that connect the shafts to the diff... Has anyone run into the problem before? I am getting to my wits and and am ready to cut the holding cage up with a sawzall to just drop the whole assembly down. Any tricks?

[willybustaE30]

being you should be using a metric allen, try using a sae & hammer it in the head. this should get it out, then u need a vise to get ur allen back out. vise grips wont work unless you have a newer set with good teeth, then buy new bolts or hit up salvage yard for better condition ones.
i smack the top of the allen head bolt with a hammer a few times before i try & loosen it. these bolts usally get filled with dirt & grime forbidding the allen to go all the way in, thus stripping if not all the way seated.
hope this helps.

[Lurker27]

Thanks Willy, I might be able to finagle it out now.

[BakesE30]

a set of vise grips is also good to use on those bastards

[TexasTerp]

I'm dropping the entire subframe on my parts car, It's easier than trying to pull just the diff off, at least that's what I think since my diff is solid as a rock on the car right now.

[xwill112x]

vice grips, and the 8mm allen on a socket.

have a friend turn the locked vice grips while you try with the socket. worked for me every time. :up:

[gazellebeigem3]

Pulling a diff out of the junkyard, ive just unbolted the driveshaft, rear mount and the bolts that go into the subframe, and just dropped that sucka down, popping out the stub axles in the process.

Dunno if you need the stub axles, but ill just throw that out there.