I decided to install my series 2 3.73's today. I removed the axles, and the four bolts that hold the posi unit in its seat. I for some reason can't remove the unit though. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to remove it or do i have to buy a tool to do that.

 

You may need a "spreader". We used to use them on the old Dana 60`s to remove and install. It may be helpful to someone with more knowledge than I have to know what rear-end you have, year etc.

 

the rear is from an 88 T/A its in a 92 RS, and its a 2.73 as of right now

 

Yuck, good luck with this!
It's in their good. A pair of prybars on the ring gear bolts should do it, but realize - it takes a LOT of force, so plan for the case to pop out suddenly.
And of course, the ring gear bolts are left hand thread. Just in case you didn't know that.

 

I have done a few of these and the last one was a PITA to get the carrier out, but I found that if you take a length of rope, tie it through the carrier, then tie it to something solid above it while holding one end of the axle up, then you simply drop the end of the axle and the carrier pops out really easy. I only had to drop it twice and the second time with a bit of force and that baby flew outta there. Was the easiest way I ever did one.

 

Yea, I tried that method as well and it was in there too tight to work... I actually gave up and brought it to a tranny/rear gear shop. A big yard ape came out with two pry bars and just forced it out. They said that's the only way they do it... The next time I had to remove the carrier I bought a pair of pry bars, and it eventually worked (I'm not a yard ape)

 

I just put a prybar in the opening in middle of the carrier and pried it out against the housing. It took a few pushes but it eventually came loose.

 

Hey SPINA74, I checked my shop manual, it`s for my `88 Iroc and I am not sure if Pontiac is the same but there were 2 rear-ends available in `88 and the removal procedure is different for each one. Let me know if you removed your posi unit and if not I will let you know what the procedure is for each one. I used to be a "rip and tear mechanic" and now I have found that a little finesse goes a long way.

 

yea the unit is still in there i didnt get a chance to try again to pull it out...and does anyone know of i can use the stock shims so i don't have to mess around with new ones?

 

Ok spina74, here goes. If yours is a Borg Warner, remove the bearing caps and mark them, they are not interchangeable. Ha, probably out already, right? That was step 1. Here is the quote from the manual:Step 2. The differential assembly is worked out of the carrier by putting a box wrench on a ring gear bolt. The box wrench contacts the back of the housing when the companion flange (pinion yolk) is rotated. When the differential assembly rotates out of the carrier from the pinion rotation the shims will also come out. The shims and bearing caps location, left or right, must be identified for reassembly. ALL RING GEAR BOLTS HAVE LEFT HAND THREAD. It appears that if your differential is not a Borg Warner, the advice you have been given about prying the unit out is the right way to go. Get the largest pry bar you can find and cushion the area it will fall in or get a helper. Be careful not to damage the gasket sealing surface. Good luck!