Was I missing something? axle housing.

[turbo8]

My axle started leaking at the 3rd member. I took both axles out, drive shaft and undid all the bolts holding the 3rd member in. It would come out about in 1.5" but wouldn't come out farther than that.

On the outside of the diff was holding it up, open diff.

I was able to clean the mating surfaces and slap some rtv on there but I was under the impression that the whole 3rd member should of came out.

I really wanted to clean the thing better.

 

[K-Tanz]

When I pulled out my third it was a real bear. I had to rotate the driveshaft flange for some reason to get clearance. Everything in there is round as far as I know but turning that flange a bit did the trick. It sounds like you did everything else right.....