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Any tricks to pulling an axel?

janschutz

janschutz

Corn Hauler
I am trying to pull the drum brakes off the housing I just removed and transfer them to the housing that I just installed. I got the driver side out without any issue. The passenger side will not budge. Slide hammer - nada, heated tube with a torch, still nada. I need to get the brake drum off to finish this project.
 
Use the wheel as a slide hammer. I used that on a frozen axle and it eventually came off.
 
Axle or brake drum is stuck? I read your thread title, but from your description it sounds like you're having problems getting the passenger side drum off. If it's the drum you're having difficulty with I can pass along what I've done in the past. Usually the problem is due to the drum rusting to the face of the axle flange. First I insure that the brake shoe adjuster is backed in as far as it will got. I then tap the diameter of the drum with a BFH to make sure the shoes retract (they will hang up sometimes). You don't need to hit it hard, just some nice firm taps all the way around. I then take said BFH and smack the dog snot out of the face of the drum in between the studs. If it is frozen you'll hear a solid tone when you hit it. Keep at it and the tone will change as the drum starts moving away from the flange. Once you get some movement, even just a little, you can work it off.

Now if it IS the axle, that's usually the outer race of the axle bearing being rusted to the tube. You can try hitting the axle flange, like you're trying to seat the axle into the housing. The won't be much movement, if any. But the shock can jar loose a rusted bearing. I'd suggest hitting it a time or two with the BFH and then reinstall the slide hammer and try that again. Alternate between the two.

BTW, did I mention I'm fond of fixing things with a BFH?!! :thu Good luck with it.

p.s. A thin coat of anti-seize on the axle flange face and/or the outer race of the axle bearing helps prevent them from being stuck for future maintenance.
 
I've had the same problem before. Sounds like it might be too late for you, but my solution was to put everything back together, ride the car around for about 15minutes, then come back and give it a try. It popped right out using the slide hammer. :wtf
 
Yes, another attempt with lots of heat and a big mama slide hammer. How about while using heat you use a BFH on the axle housing at the bearing area. I do know of a few pretty ugly Stangfix member's who's face would probably scare the bearing right into cooperation.
 
"cmayna" said:
Yes, another attempt with lots of heat and a big mama slide hammer. How about while using heat you use a BFH on the axle housing at the bearing area. I do know of a few pretty ugly Stangfix member's who's face would probably scare the bearing right into cooperation.
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Who is the closest to Allen, Texas? I need all the help I can get.
 
Beat the hell out of the axle tube where the race is seated with lots of heat. I think I beat, pulled, and heated my tube for 30 minutes once trying to get it to come out.
 
"65fast" said:
I think I beat, pulled, and heated my tube for 30 minutes once trying to get it to come out.
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A prostitute would have been less painful, well...maybe.
 
I reversed the drum and put lug nuts back on just a couple turns. Used the drum as a "slide hammer" and it worked. Good luck.
 
"blue65coupe" said:
I reversed the drum and put lug nuts back on just a couple turns. Used the drum as a "slide hammer" and it worked. Good luck.
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Been Doing that Also,
 
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