eddie_silverado

First of all thanks for any and all help on this.

The rear differential on my 2000 Chevy Silverado, basically blew up. Therefore, I am replacing the rear differential, along with the ring and pinion gears and I have run into a problem. This is where I'm at: I have removed the G80 differential carrier along with all of the broken spider gear and housing pieces. I have removed the nut off of the yoke assembly on the pinion gear shaft. I've tried pounding away at the pinion gear shaft to pull it out, but it just seems to be stuck. Not sure what could possibly be holding it up other than it is has probably welded itself to the bearing or something. I've beat on it to the point that the shaft has mushroomed, which is OK since I am replacing it, but it does not want to come out.

Eddie
2000 Chevy Silverado LT 5.3L V8
G80 Differential 8.6in 3.73 ratio