Removing pinion nut. Does the yoke stay in?

[SUX2BU99]

I'm removing my pinion nut tonight, using the 24" monkey wrench I bought today and a 24" breaker bar. So after I crack the nut and back it off, does the pinion pull out from the backside? Does the yoke still hold it in somehow? Do I have to tap it out from the nut side out to the back of the diff? I cleaned out the internals of the diff last night. Help is much appreciated.

[VileZambonie]

Witness mark using a punch the yoke, the pinion nut and the pinion shaft so you know where to tighten the nut back to. Use a socket not a monkey wrench. Once you remove the nut and washer you can remove the yoke by tapping it forward with a small hammer.

[SUX2BU99]

I'll of course be using a socket on the nut but it's holding the yoke that I am using the monkey wrench for. If that doesn't work, then I'll try to find a suitable impact gun.

[SUX2BU99]

The monkey wrench worked great for keeping the yoke held while I cranked on the pinion nut with the breaker bar to back it off. Then I used the impact gun to remove it. Worked great. Tapped the end of the pinion with my ball peen hammer and the yoke nudged itself out, while the pinion came loose. All went well.