What is the best way to clean the pumkin without a parts washer?
Do you mean the 3rd member with the gears exposed? Or just the axle housing with the 3rd member installed? Either way, a few cans of brake cleaner work wonders for cleaning off parts. Spray on the cleaner, wire brush the cruddy spots, and spray again. It drys in a few minutes. Nice and clean. No rust, no fuss.