replacing Chevy pinion seal -- axle out of car

So when I replaced the pinion seal on the rear axle of my rod I set the emergency brake so the axles wouldn't simply turn as I tried to unscrew the nut holding the yoke.....

Now this other Chevy axle I got is on the floor, and I'm looking for a simple way to lock up the axles when turning the yoke nut.

Someone must have done this -- any ideas?
BTW the rear cover is off if I can get in there to lock it....

 

put a rag between the ring and pinion gears. Or do it right...make a tool to hold the yoke still, just a long flat steel bar with holes to bolt to two of the U joint strap holes, and a cutout to let a socket fit on the nut.

 

Sometimes just "zapping" it with an impact wrench will remove it without holding it. Besides the rag between the gears, I have also had success by putting two bolts in the yoke and holding it with a pry bar, or holding the yoke with a very large pipe wrench. The best way is to make a simple tool as Jim suggested.

 

That's the ticket!

 

pics

 

Where'd I leave my brain today?.....

Of course: if the yoke doesn't turn, the drums won't spin ! I guess that was too obvious for me, I was looking for a deep technical solution

Thanks guys !!