Carrier Removal

[Bronco]

I’ve got a Dana30 that I’m pulling the gears out of to put in my truck, and having never torn into one I’m having a bit of a problem. I have the shafts out and the pinion nut broken and the bearing retainers off, but I can’t get the carrier out. Is there an easy way or is it just a brute forces thing? I understand that there is a tool called a case spreader or something do I need one of these? Is there something that I haven’t unhooked? Any way, if there is anything that anyone can tell me that will make removal easier with the carrier or the pinion I would really appreciate it.

[Rags]

I have never used a spreader for 30s or 35s,accept for bigger diffs like Dana 60s and 80s you have to......I have always used a pair of BFSD(Big F@@@ Screw Driver) or pry bars with great success.....................Rags

[Bronco]

So the idea there is you stick one up for the bottom and one down from the top and pry against the case?

[justgpn]

stick a rag in the gear teeth and rotate the gears the carrier should come right out.

[Bronco]

Owww I like that. Popping right out sound real good.
How hard is it to get the pinion out? Any one know a come right out trick for that?