rear diff. removal question

[vintage_car]

I'm looking at half the S/N on the diff. in the car, but there is a solid metal plate from the front of the diff by the guibo till about halfway back, which is covering up the S/N and a leak that I can't see. Can I remove this plate held by 4 bolts without it falling on my head and causing any problems to the driveline?

[BarryA]

looking at is part of the rear subframe - if so, it's the mounting pad for the diff and is welded to the suspension crossmember portion of the subframe (the rest of the mounting "system" is the hanger that's bolted to the rear cover). Most likely, the only way you're going to see the section of the diff housing that's above the "plate" is going to be to remove the diff from the car.......