Hi All...I'm about to start on an axle replacement project. Have read through most of the forum posts. With my luck, I'm sure that I'll encounter that PITA problem with the support bearing on the right axle. I haven't uncovered any sure fire system of it's removal. I was wondering what the shops do for those worst case situations. Would an impact hammer be the secret?

Any and all tips would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to be armed for bear before I start.

Thanks.

 

Remove the bracket from the engine block. Then wiggle the axle out.Remove the three bolts holding the bracket to the axle and hit the bracket with a hammer a few times. This is the only way to get it done easily.

 

Thanks for the response.

Your suggestion makes sense. But if it was easier to remove the entire bracket, why does everyone struggle so much over detaching from the bracket while connected to the block? i.e. Is it difficult to reach the bolts to remove the bracket from the engine block?

 

If you have the exhaust in, it is indeed easier to remove the bracket from the block and do it on the ground. If you have the y-pipe out, you can easily remove those three bolts, then take a hammer and a punch (or like I did, and just a hammer) to seperate the axle and the cage. I removed it the latter way with the y-pipe still on the car, and it wasn't all too difficult.

 

If I have to remove the bracket from the block, any idea what I should torque the bolts to when I reinstall?

 

I used a chisel edge scraper in the joint between the axle and support. I worked both sides and eventually the axle came loose. I had to use thicked tools to keep on spreading the joint open.

 

Once it's loose turn it and pull.