7.5 drive pinion removal

[kimcrwbr1]

I am trying to remove the drive pinion out of the axle housing and the pinion is not budging out of the front bearing. I got it to move about 1/8 an inch and now it is froze solid. Short of taking a 10lb sledge to it is there a trick to popping it out I am at my wits end any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[kryptonitecb]

Mine fell out once the spindle nut came off. Baby beater is always an option.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Well it got me bleeding first I tried the large hard mallot then graduated to the 3lb sledge and a block of hard wood. I am now metal to metal and the threads are extra extra fine. I tried to torch the bearing also to nodda. WTF it should slide right out I`m afraid if I hit it any harder I will need a different housing. I already bought a used trac-loc 3.73 set once I get the drive pinion out it should fly together if I dont F up the housing.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Power steering fluid a torch and a big hammer the outer race was rusted to the drive pinion. I`m guessing when I first got the truck 9 years ago I topped off the differential fluid after it had sit for a few years low on oil, moisture must have migrated in just enough to get the inner race wet everything else looked fine. I hope I didnt damage the housing it was dark and starting to get chilly out.