Kim72

Looking to remove and replace rear end cover. I know the spring needs to be removed. Read the book on that. Can the pumkin be dropped enough to remove the cover without pulling the half shafts?? Does it have to be dropped at all?? Looking for ins and outs of this work. The less I have to remove the better. Thanks in advance.

Gordonm

The pumpkin does not have to be removed. The tricky part is getting the upper bolts on the cover. They are on top of the cross member. If you can get these just remove them with the spring bolts and all the cover bolts. It can be done. I have always had to remove the pumpkin but that is for other reasons.

R. Bruno

I don't doubt that Gordon is right, but , I can't see how anyone could get to those upper bolts without dropping the crossmember. I would suggest that if there is other work to be done on the rear suspension that you either wait until then or go the whole nine yards and drop the crossmemeber. It really is not that bad and it is a lot easier to handle the pumpkin with the crossmember attached IMHO.
Good luck Happy Holidays!! :cheers: Rob

Pedro'74

I've done that. It's awkward, but possible, with the wells off, using a deep well or spark plug socket.

:chevy
-Pedro

BB wowbagger

I just put a jack under the pumpkin and removed the crossmember and cover as a unit..