I used to think that the preload on the 33's and 34's was a mechanical preload but there was a Zoom/Boost article a few months ago on 4WD transmissions that suggested that the preload was infact a hydraulic preload.
Is this the case or have the magazines once again got it wrong?
If it is a hydraulic preload than if the car hasn;t been started for a while and the line pressure is 0, then if you pull the fuse before the ATESSA pump has a chance to fire up then you shouldn't need to drop the shafts. Is this theory correct?
I know that it is risky and you really need a pressure gauge in the line to tell what the pressure is but it could work.
Also if it is a hydraulic preload then you should be able fit a solenoid to the line to relieve the pressure when you pull the fuse (or flick the switch if you wire it up that way) could this work?