best way to remove 9 in. third member from axle?

Just had a bear of a time removing a third member from a 9 in. rear axle. Gasket was sticking to the axle housing. Had to hammer a cold chisel between the edge of the axle housing and edge of the third member just to get a crack between the two to drain the oil and start to pry forward the third member. Was worried I would crack the housing or the third member with the chisel hammering. Is there a better way?