Have removed all the bolts but the front and rear portions of the housing seem quite reluctant to come apart.

Any trick to splitting them?

 

I had a hard time too while doing this, but then I took the stubs out off the diff after that I could just tap it with a mallet and it came apart

 

Rubber mallet did the trick.

 

I made the same mistake lol.

 

like has been said, stub axles (if you have them) need to come out first, and make sure all the bolts are out and then use a rubber mallet or a regular mallet and a wooden block between to soften the blow (thats what I did). It should split after a good whack and then you can use a flat head screwdriver to finish the job if you have to.

 

Gotta give it a good whack after the stubs are out.

 

pry bar & hammer FTW!

 

I've taken like 30 of these apart. I moderately hit the aluminum housing with a hammer (use a block of wood to take the impact) a couple times on each side before removing the bolts. Then typically the alum housing and carrier just slide apart when the hardware is removed. If not, a love tap or two will do it.

 

So what you guys are saying is don't use an 11 amp sawzall, got it.

 

Seems dumb but is there a trick to get the stubs out?

 

lots of wiggling/pulling pretty much. if they're REALLY in there strong use a large screwdriver or something of the sort to lever them out.......rubber mallet is your friend as far as getting the two parts of the diff apart. just start hitting it along the seam where they are joined