"I" didn't say anything about an A12 !!

It's my bet there have been more housings screwed up with spreaders than by tapping them in. All rear load rear axles have set preload. No spreaders used with them. I set the Danas with zero preload. Then add a .005" shim to each side. If you can't tap that setup in to the housing with a soft face dead blow you are doing something wrong. A large pry bar easily removes the carrier. If you are are concerned about hosing warpage you can do 3 things. #1 narrow it and use a setup bar before welding the ends on. #2 straighten it in a large press if it's tweeked. #3 what I've done is heat it cherry red on the side of the housing you want it to move towards and quench it. It will shrink and pull it towards the heated spot. You'll be amazed how far they will move when heated and then cooled. I've welded on a lot of housings. Never tweeked one bad enough I couldn't fix.
Doug

Pulled the cover off for a peek. I'm surprised the gear set isn't stamped with the ratio !! Anyhow, how does this pattern look (keep in mind that its been rotated numerous times in both directions by both the pinion and the axles)?

The ratio is stamped on the gear, they just force you to do the math. I can't quite see the second number but it looks like 46-13? If it is 46-13 then it is a 3.54 ratio.

Ah-ha !! Yes it is 3:54

Pinion looks a little deep in the ring. You could probably pull a shim or 2 from under the pinion bearing maybe about 0.030

Gus

No you didn't , "I" did !! , when you said it was a 1969 Dana 60 and talked about maybe selling it .

That said the date code says it's a 1968 model year rear.