[nytrainer]

Here's a question that I would never thought would need to be asked but...trying to remove the ring gear from the carrier. It's an 8.5 R & P with non posi carrier. It is out of the housing and on the bench. The ten bolts holding it to the carrier are now removed. The ring gear slightly overhangs the carrier by 1/4" or so. With a brass punch I lightly, and not so lightly, tapped around the circumference of the ring gear trying to drive it away from the carrier. No go. I have an incredible knack of breaking things so before I go caveman on this I'd ask for some advice. I was thinking of using a punch through were the bolts were removed but it seems like I'd be hitting right behind the teeth and it would be relatively thin there so I didn't go that route. Help..

[track73]

Take your mapp/propane torch (or even a heat gun ) and heat up the ring gear. If that doesn't work I guess a hydraulic press may be the anawer

[mgarblik]

Not crazy about the torch idea, although I know it is done. You can use a heat gun if you want. GM ring gears generally only have .0005-.001" press fit on them. I would set the case on the bench with the bearing race, (cup) on the case bearing for protection. Then use a punch that will pass through the ring gear threads to the bottom of the bolt holes. Give a solid smack with a ball peen, then go 180 degrees, then 90 degrees, and so forth until it comes off. I have never had an issue removing them that way. The service manuals sometimes say thread in 4 bolts a few threads and tap the bolts. I like the punch method better.

[STEELCITYFIREBIRD]

Using a heavy hammer is key, inertia is your buddy.
Also getting the carrier supported solidly.
Leave 3 or four bolts in loosely so it doesnt drop and get damaged.

[TammyTA]

Originally Posted by STEELCITYFIREBIRD

Using a heavy hammer is key, inertia is your buddy.
Also getting the carrier supported solidly.
Leave 3 or four bolts in loosely so it doesnt drop and get damaged.

And it saves toes when gravity takes over.

[johnta1]

Try dropping it from about 2 feet, with the ring gear facing down, on something solid.

Leave a couple bolts in loosely so it won't bang on the surface you're dropping it on.

If that doesn't work, then try the big hammer and brass punch preferably with 2 people one on each side across from each other.
(hitting at same time)

[Formulas]

I always use the hammer method on the bolt heads, soft face like a polyurethane mallet, Turn the bolts out a couple turns and tap them in a 360, once the gear has moved some then back out the bolts some more and so on till its off

[nytrainer]

Thanks all.

[lust4speed]

An old Pontiac mechanic taught me to slam the carrier down on a piece of lumber like a 4x4 so the ring gear would be forced off - and to make sure my fingers were out of the way. Don't think it ever took over two tries before the gear was free.

[2PLUSTWO]

I just remove one myself using a very large brass punch and a big hammer.