Help!!! Rusted frame and trying to remove axles

[Dstoner25]

Hey guys,
I have a 2000 Argo response 8x8. The guy I got it from The guy left water in it. Now the frame is rusted and some bearings are shot. I need to pull the frame for repairs but to do that I need to remove the axles. I already removed the top body and the engine and transmission. I've tried a torch and penetration oil and it still won't come out. Guys got any suggestions. I tried posted pics won't upload!

[plott hound]

hose the crap out of it with pb blaster and let it sit.that should do the trick.if not your gonna need a BFH.

[Mike]

If it sat with water in it for long, you will probably end up having to cut the axles out. If you have to cut them, try to salvage the sprockets. If you cut them at a place that leaves as much of the axle in tact as possible, you can put the whole assembly in a press and press against the remaining axle. It makes it a little easier then trying to cut the axle near the sprocket and having to use a dowel to press the axle out.

[Dstoner25]

I tried pb and I don't want to cut the axles trying to salvage much as possible!

[Normable1973]

I'm having the same problem with an argo magnum 8x8 sat for 14yrs with a little water in it. My frame is totally rotted out. Good luck. Norm...

[ARGOJIM]

As an idea which has worked for me try the following on each axle;
remove inner most axle bolt and washers.
attempt to remove the set screws in inner bearing and sprocket/s, if sprocket will move with set screw out you've already won.
remove bolts from inner and outer bearing flange bolts (8 per axle in your case). try to slide axle out, this may require some hammering with a large drift ( I generally insert a 5/16 bolt where the 3/8 bolt was to save the threads and beat on bolt head instead of the axle.
If that does not work remove the inner flanges( it will be necessary to pry and destroy the inner flange against the inner frame rail) then install a 3 jaw puller or bearing puller and remove the inner bearing.
Once the inner bearing is removed, slide sprocket or if needed using a puller, remove sprocket.
Now you can remove the axle and then remove the outer bearing and flanges.


Now only 7 more to do.


Good luck, hope some or any of this helps.



If the axles are all out and you intend to pull the frame, all the rivets that hold the skid plate (if so equipped) on that are in line with the bearings must be removed as they go through the frame. Trailer hitch must also be removed along with bearing extensions.

[Dstoner25]

Thanks I'll try it out!

[phabib]

I was in the same boat with mine and after weeks of pb blaster, heating with a torch, chilling with entire cans of component freeze stuff, using the BFH, a slide hammer, and every other tool at my disposal, the Sawsall was the only thing that worked. Not to discourage you, but it might just be where you're headed.

[Dstoner25]

Sawsall? U mean cut it up?

[2014SE]

Aero Kroil. I don't know if it's better than what's available where you live. We use it in the oil field in gas plants to take studs out of flanges that been together outside for years. Spray on, let it sit and attempt later. I sprayed it in my ball joint and tie rod end nuts, let it sit over night and in the morning it come apart with very little effort. If you must hammer on the axle end first find a short bolt to screw into the end threads that will shoulder out!!!! If you don't and proceed to try and drive it out you'll never get a bolt started in the threaded hole ever again. Good luck.

[locolouie]

the new stuff that wd40 has works well, used some on exhaust manifold bolts about 30 minutes later came loose with ease

[deermedo]

If your bearings are seized etc. you may as well cut the axles out as they are probably shot anyway. It will also be a good opportunity to install the HD axles and bearings and then you are done.

[Dstoner25]

I'm going to try and salvage but worst comes to worst cut it out!