Front Axle removal (cant pound it out)

[spikedbat]

I need to remove a right front axle from an earlier (95)Response, however the axle is probably seized on the inner bearing or possibly outer. The sprocket is free and can move and i've got all the bolts off the bearing extension and set screws etc.
I'm just finding that pounding on the axle is not enough as the power pack is right there and you can only swing 3 " max. Any suggestions? Is the best bet to just remove the complete power pack? Don't realyl want to pull that unless necesarry.

Neeed to replace the cork seal.

If so looking for a sequence on that as the manual doesn't say much.

thanks!

[Old Tucker]

There is a bolt right on the inner end of the axle that holds the axle in place. you can not remove the axle without taking it out. Maybe that is what is the problem ?????

[spikedbat]

There is a bolt right on the inner end of the axle that holds the axle in place. you can not remove the axle without taking it out. Maybe that is what is the problem ?????

LOL if only that was my problem. I've removd it. I watched a few vids where they put it on a few threads and pound it out via that bolt.
I tried this with the bolt in and off.. same result. Either way how do you swing a hammer with 3" of clearance to get at the axle.

[BW3]

Not a mechanic and this may make a lot of those here cringe ,,,, but maybe try soaking with a good penetrating oil as long as possible longer is better and very carefully using a soft wood ( pine or such) tap as close to the wheel flange on the outside of the Body ,, tap and turn , tap and turn watching for and being careful as not to bend the wheel flange ... ya I know scary ... I think I have also seen where some one made an axle puller by machining a clamp that goes around the axle shaft and pushes against the body/frame some how ...worst case maybe cut the inner flange to let it pass through the frame ( going by that the hole in the frame of my Frontier is large enough to pass the bearing through without the flange) and take the whole axle out far enough so as to get a bearing puller on it inside ... worst worst case would be to then cut the bearing off inside your hull/ body but at least it is 6" of space to work in and not 3" ... Best of Luck

bg

[spikedbat]

Not a mechanic and this may make a lot of those here cringe ,,,, but maybe try soaking with a good penetrating oil as long as possible longer is better and very carefully using a soft wood ( pine or such) tap as close to the wheel flange on the outside of the Body ,, tap and turn , tap and turn watching for and being careful as not to bend the wheel flange ... ya I know scary ... I think I have also seen where some one made an axle puller by machining a clamp that goes around the axle shaft and pushes against the body/frame some how ...worst case maybe cut the inner flange to let it pass through the frame ( going by that the hole in the frame of my Frontier is large enough to pass the bearing through without the flange) and take the whole axle out far enough so as to get a bearing puller on it inside ... worst worst case would be to then cut the bearing off inside your hull/ body but at least it is 6" of space to work in and not 3" ... Best of Luck

bg

I debated the hammering the wheel flange with a big piece of wood but i definitely think it will just bend before coming out. And yes I've been soaking in penetrating oil.
Dont want to cut it. I'd rather remove the power pack if that was the case.

[trevorakm1]

I had to cut the inner bearing. Used a dremel with cutting wheels. It's a pain. Make sure you use never seize for the re- assembly. I changed all bearings 3 years ago and prepped for future removal, just replaced a front axle due to warpped flange ande it came out very easy.

[Rock Doctor]

You can make a "Slide Hammer" that bolts to the axle wheel studs.
If you can take the left axle out, you can use a long steel bar to feed through from the left side across to the end of the right axle, and beat the steel rod with a sledge hammer.
You can cut the bearing or the axle with a grinder and Zip Cut blade.
You can use a Logging Chain, loop one end of the chain on the axle flange, then stand back with the other end of the chain and "whip" it like you are beating some poor slave in the old days.
If you have a Porta-Power that will fit in there, you can press from the left side frame across to the right axle.
Heat (Torch) is always interesting and dangerous, at the same time. Don't recommend that on front axles.

RD

[ARGOJIM]

Axle puller works great
Cutting or distorting just the outer inner flange will allow axle to slide enough to maybe get a puller on the inner bearing
Cutting the inner bearing works
Don't recommend heat either
RD's pass through deal should work
Removing the powerpack lets the bfh in there with a 3/4 or 7/8 punch/bar



Try to remove the longs bolts on outer flange some first, have had be the problem a few times. You could tap with a hammer from inside the tub or pry them from the outside flange. 1 inch of free travel in the outer flange can make a huge dif..

Last resort,cut axle. ( I hate that one )

[trevorakm1]

Great where were you Rock Doctor when I was struggling, sure now you've got plenty of answers and options. Nearly threw my back out trying to contort myself trying to cut that bearing, sheesh!.........

[Rock Doctor]

Great where were you Rock Doctor when I was struggling, sure now you've got plenty of answers and options. Nearly threw my back out trying to contort myself trying to cut that bearing, sheesh!.........

Sorry, I'm on vacation :-)

Glad to hear you got it though.

RD

[argoford]

try a bearing puler

[spikedbat]

You can make a "Slide Hammer" that bolts to the axle wheel studs.
If you can take the left axle out, you can use a long steel bar to feed through from the left side across to the end of the right axle, and beat the steel rod with a sledge hammer.
You can cut the bearing or the axle with a grinder and Zip Cut blade.
You can use a Logging Chain, loop one end of the chain on the axle flange, then stand back with the other end of the chain and "whip" it like you are beating some poor slave in the old days.
If you have a Porta-Power that will fit in there, you can press from the left side frame across to the right axle.
Heat (Torch) is always interesting and dangerous, at the same time. Don't recommend that on front axles.

RD

These are all some interesting ideas and I should put a few to the test. I'm thinking the chain is the easiest. I have a feeling removing the left side will be just as hard on this machine as the right, so I have not bothered down that road but I was thinking that too.
Would you have a suggestion or a pic of the slide hammer idea? Seems like the most orthodox way to do this removal properly (without pulling the power pack).

Thanks guys for all the suggestions. Definitely don't want to cut it all out, as I know that is an option but just not the right one for now. I'm still not that frustrated as of now. lol

[rodp]

A slide hammer is simple to make. You need a piece of good steel plate drilled to fit over the wheel studs, in the centre of that plate weld a 2' length of something like 1/2" bar, get a good heavy hunk of steel with a hole in the middle that will slide over the 1/2" bar. Slide the lump of steel over the bar and weld a SUBSTANTIAL stop to the bar (the opposite end to the piece of plate with the wheel holes in)

You bolt it all to the wheel flange with the wheel nuts, slide the heavy lump of steel down the 1/2" bar to the wheel flange and then whack it back to the stop on the other end of the bar. Mind your fingers, I'm no doctor but I know it WILL hurt if you get them trapped.
A good solid slide hammer is capable of ripping the frame apart so take care.

[Rock Doctor]

Slide Hammers

[IMG][/IMG]

RD

[rodp]

Slide Hammers

[IMG][/IMG]

RD

Ha ha, a picture's worth a thousand words