Front diff cover removal tips

I've been fighting the front diff cover on my 2010 going on 4 hours now. What's the trick to removing this damn thing off?

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have you tried jacking the truck up with the front tires dangling to get the tie rods at a diff area? I don't know ? just a thought

All 4 tires are actually off the ground. I'm doing both rear and front diff services and I just got done with the rear. Still stuck trying to get this thing off... thanks for the advice but no luck

I tried and failed. Bought a fluid pump, pumped out as much of the old fluid as I could, and refilled. I measured and I was able to pump out all but a couple ounces of the old fluid.

I am giving up too. Just going to clean up as best as I can and seal it back hoping it won't leak. NEVER DOING THIS AGAIN.

Vang said:

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I could be wrong, but it looks like the bolt for the rack has to be removed.

Won't be trying this myself I guess.

I didn't have any issues with my 2011, but I'm not sure what differences exist between model years. It just takes a bit of patience and finesse. I didn't have to remove anything in addition to the diff cover. Just pay attention to how you got it off so that it'll be easier putting it back on when you have new RTV on the pan.

So I actually just ended up dropping the whole front axle assembly a few inches since I knew I couldn't live with myself if I didn't do it right and just tried to seal it back up. Just 3 bolts and lower the housing on a floor jack a few inches and you are good to go. I still ended up smearing RTV everywhere though lol.
Knowing what I know now, I would of just dropped the axle housing right away instead of spending hours trying to fight the stupid cover and getting pissed off.

You'll need a 15mm, 21mm, and a bunch of extensions and a floor jack. You don't even have to take off the passenger axle housing bolt, just loosen it. You will have to remove the 2 driver side ones to be able to drop it enough to have wiggle room. This will add an extra 2 hours taking your time though and it was my first time too. Again, better way to approach this way instead of getting pissed off for 4 hours earlier like I did. Hope this helps to anyone in the future looking to do it. I'm never doing this again lol...

---------- Post added at 09:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:41 PM ----------

J DAMAGE said:

I could be wrong, but it looks like the bolt for the rack has to be removed.

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You are correct. It was either drop the rack or drop the axle housing. The axle housing was my choice since it seemed easier to do with the tools I had on hand and it was only 3 bolts to drop it.