More leaky axles...

[bthompson]

Yep, rear brakes soaking in gear oil. It must be catching...so many of us with leaky seals in the last few weeks. I went into the project fairly confident: after all, there've been about a half-dozen threads about axle bearings, seals, o-rings, and gaskets. How hard can it be, sez I?

Well, I guess I'm just an idiot. I got as far as pulling the brake drum and the three Pozidriv screws, and I can't figure out how on <span style="font-style: italic">earth </span>to pull the axle out. I get that the wheel studs are pressed on from the rear of the back half, through holes in the front half, right? So the trick is separating the two halves...but every way <span style="font-style: italic">I</span> can think of using various configurations of nuts and levers, would just pull the halves <span style="font-style: italic">tighter</span>. Remember I don't have access to any great number of tools; just the basics, so things like "...using MG Axle Puller #87634J..." ain't gonna help.

Someone help me with a crash course in <span style="font-style: italic">Axle Pulling For Dummies</span>. Use small words. Pictures will help.

 

[aeronca65t]

If you've removed those little screws that hold the axle flange to the hub, you've done all you're supposed to do.

It's probably just stuck with sealant.

Get two old screwdrivers and sharpen them. Then gently try to drive them (180 degrees apart) between the axle flange and the hub.
Rotate the axle as you do this and smack the flange with a mallet to loosen it.

It should come free.

If it won't come off, there's an outside chance the inner spline on the axle is jobbered up and stuck on the differential gears......but this is unlikely. Let's hope not.

 

[bthompson]

Hooray! So I <span style="font-style: italic">am </span>on the right track. I'm always hesitant to use force if I'm not sure I haven't overlooked something. Screwdriver/wedges it is! Thanks!

 

[drooartz]

I've also had good luck with a thin putty knife. Helps to break the seal between the axle and hub.

 

[bthompson]

Thanks, guys, your suggestions worked a treat. Worked the putty knife in there, pried a bit with a screwdriver, and the shaft popped right out. The gasket was deteriorated, so I made a new one out of cardstock and blue RTV. Hopefully that's all she needs. Time will tell...

 

[c5racer]

So Bill,

How about a progress report, leak solved? I ask because I have found a few drips and it looks like I'll be doing the same.

 

[bthompson]

So far, so good...Nothing's leaking past the gasket. (And nothing's leaking behind the brake backing plate, so the bearing oil seal is still intact!) The RTV-and-cardstock trick seems to work great. Good thing, too...it's drivin' weather!