A hydraulic separation system for use in a gyrational crusher to separate a socket (50) of the crusher from a main shaft (34). The hydraulic separation system includes one or more hydraulic grooves (64,66) formed at the interference contact area between the socket and the main shaft Each hydraulic groove is fed with a supply of pressurized hydraulic fluid to aid in separation of the socket from the main shaft. An inner contact surface (78) of the socket is tapered and engages a tapered outer surface (92) of the main shaft. The mating tapered surfaces further aid in separation of the socket from the main shaft upon application of the pressurized hydraulic fluid.