1938 Ford Rearend Removal? Help!

i'M TRYING TO GET THE REAR END OUT OF THE '38....oops
I've dropped the spring down from the frame cross member, I've unbolted the torque tube, unbolted the wishbones from the torque tube. What am I missing? She nona budge!

 

Unbolt the piece surrounding the U-joint at the FRONT of the torque tube...tube's gotta come off with the rear. I think you are trying to leave the tube on the car, and you are now pulling against a lock ring holding together the front bearing area of the tube.

 

The big cast piece held in by about 5 bolts? is the torque tube suppose to come out too? I guess I need to unbolt it too. Thanks I'm going back under, I'll take another look. Thanks Bruce, I really appreciate you taking the time.

 

Sorry you just said the tube has to come out. Thanks, Greasey and breathing hard...

 

Bruce, It's out thanks to you, now I get it. I saw the split retaining cap. I just had to remove the floor to get to the two top bolts. The insulation under the rug turned out to be soaked in oil, so it would have come out sooner or later.
Thanks again, Bill

 

OK, now look at speedo drive...in that neighborhood is a snap ring and a stack of small parts above a bearing. Said snap has to come out for tube to come off driveshaft.

 

I have removed the drive unit from the tube. I can see the speedo drive gear, a thrust washer and then a roller bearing. I do not see the snap ring? The drive shaft is free of the tranny, but the bell on the tube will not pass thru the tunnel? I'm getting real close to cutting the bell off, Animal style. What am I missing?

 

The big separate bell unbolts into two pieces; the smaller bell integral with tube should pass.

 

I AM SO ASS BACKWARDS, HA HA I have the rearend out!! I slid the speed drive off, then the thrust washer, then the bearing, the driveshaft is laying on the ground the rearend is clear of the car and the frickin' tube is still stuck, I never did see a snap ring? I'm going to wash up and make a spam sandwich! Then I'll wrestle the tube again....... BRUCE, Thank You for your help, if you weren't in Jersey I'd be buying you a big Cheeseburger right now!

 

I've heard sometimes guys undo the bolts in the floor in that vicinity and pry the floor up a bit in the middle.

 

~Thanks after lunch....I going to hit it running, Refreshed and ready to kick some Torque Tube ass!

 

"I'd be buying you a big Cheeseburger right now!" That sounded great for a minute, then I thought about what a cheeseburger handled by someone whose hands have been marinating in ancient fish-flavored 140 weight for several days would taste like...
Hmmm...I'll just try the salad bar...