The way I bang the pinion out of the housing is by placing a pinion nut on the pinion gear and pounding it with the 3 pound bay sledge hammer. As you know it is the front bearing providing the fight. The nut protects the pinion from hammer damage.

The problem is now my expendable nut has been beet to death.

Does anyone have a better way of doing this?

 

I use the same procedure. The only difference is that I use a solid piece of brass barstock to beat the pinion nut. About 2" diameter 3" long.

 

The nut should be replaced once it's been removed anyways, they're a one install type part.

 

I just reverted back to the nut on the end and banging it out with a 3 pound sledgehammer.
Worked just fine once again.

 

I back off the old nut until it's past the threads, and then hold a piece of 2x4 in front of it while I beat it out until it's loose, then remove the nut and pull it out.

-Dave C. '97 Z28

 

Be careful doing this. Make sure you screw the nut on more than just a few threads. Ask me how I know this? Yes, I ruined a ring & pinion by making this stupid mistake when I was younger. It was threaded on maybe 3 threads worth, and I inadvertantly hit it at an angle. The pinion nut cocked to the side and took the threads off the pinion.

Ben T.

 

Just buy an air hammer and the pointed bit. Life will be much easier.