axle removal tool

[scooper]

Hi all, what tools did you use to remove and install axles from and into the rear wheel hubs? Any tips would be highly appreciated. Thanks!

[ThreeD]

A BFH in one hand hitting either the ball side of a ball-peen hammer or a metal rod held with vice grips in the other hand. metal rod is slightly smaller than the diameter of the halfshaft. obviously make sure you disconnect the diff side first.

clean both surfaces with wire wheel/wire brush, reinstall with generous antiseize. It should go in by hand, if not you can use a block of wood on the backside to tap it in

[scooper]

Hey Chris,
Thanks for responding. I have the wheel hub out of the car. Will a BFH do the trick? I guess I'll jerry-rig some blocks and go to town on it. Also, it seems like the only way to remove the ebrake cable from the wheel hub is to use a punch? I think that would effectively destroy the sleeve though and make it that much harder to remove from the hub pushing it out on the rotor side of the wheel hub. Thanks!

[ThreeD]

Hey Chris,
Thanks for responding. I have the wheel hub out of the car. Will a BFH do the trick? I guess I'll jerry-rig some blocks and go to town on it. Also, it seems like the only way to remove the ebrake cable from the wheel hub is to use a punch? I think that would effectively destroy the sleeve though and make it that much harder to remove from the hub pushing it out on the rotor side of the wheel hub. Thanks!

No problem :) I didn't realize the trailing arm was out of the car though. It may be difficult to keep the trailing arm stationary when you hit it with a BFH so that approach may not work. Is it possible to fit it on the press? Perhaps so the axle is facing towards the ground and the trailing arm is suspended on the press supports? This way you can either use a BFH or the press itself to get the halfshaft out.

For the e-brake cable, if I remember correctly, you can use a socket or something similar to drive it out from the rotor side. I suspect if you use some heat on the trailing arm and a lot of Aerokroil it should not damage the e-brake cable. Not sure what you're talking about regarding the hub though.

[scooper]

putting a punch on the surrounding metal sleeve to drive it out from the rotor side. I may just replace the cables (on another hub).

[DRMe36M3]

i had to use an acetylene torch and a press...fucker was IN THERE.

[Jrrrrrrr]

A large steering wheel puller with bolts through the flange and threaded into the wheel hub will work.

A sturdy 2 or 3-jaw puller will also work by gripping on the wheel hub once the brake rotor is removed.

Both are easier and more elegant solutions than a BFH. Use anti-seize on the axle splines on reinstall.

[ThreeD]

A large steering wheel puller with bolts through the flange and threaded into the wheel hub will work.

A sturdy 2 or 3-jaw puller will also work by gripping on the wheel hub once the brake rotor is removed.

Both are easier and more elegant solutions than a BFH. Use anti-seize on the axle splines on reinstall.

The 3 jaw puller I used wouldn't grip the wheel hub and the steering wheel puller type I used destroyed a few lug nuts before I said **** it and used a BFH. Works better and less hassle.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

[DRMe36M3]

A large steering wheel puller with bolts through the flange and threaded into the wheel hub will work.

A sturdy 2 or 3-jaw puller will also work by gripping on the wheel hub once the brake rotor is removed.

Both are easier and more elegant solutions than a BFH. Use anti-seize on the axle splines on reinstall.

this can damage the hub. I remember when i was going through this nightmare reading threads where people had to order new hubs because of this.

[Stephen Max]

I had to buy a replacement trailing arm, bearing and drive axle a year ago when my driver's side axle just flat refused to let go of the trailing arm. I tried everything, then in desperation removed the trailing arm and axle and took it to a local indy BMW shop. They weren't able to separate the two either, even with a press, and eventually mushroomed the end of the axle. Needless to say, I used A LOT of anti-seize on the replacement axle splines.

[ThreeD]

this can damage the hub. I remember when i was going through this nightmare reading threads where people had to order new hubs because of this.

yep i can definitely see it either breaking the puller, bending the hub, or messing up the hub threads

[Jrrrrrrr]

The 3 jaw puller I used wouldn't grip the wheel hub and the steering wheel puller type I used destroyed a few lug nuts before I said **** it and used a BFH. Works better and less hassle.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus


this can damage the hub. I remember when i was going through this nightmare reading threads where people had to order new hubs because of this.

Personally, I've managed to press the axles out of each hub with just a 2-jaw puller and no strap on the jaws to keep them from spreading apart and with absolutely no damage to anything.

I think that if the puller method isn't working to the point of the puller's jaws gouging the hub, or the steering-wheel puller / bolts stripping out the hub threads, you needed to apply a generous amount of penetrating oil to the axle splines before starting in the first place.

[DRMe36M3]

did that, for two days actually... A bmw shop couldnt separate mine...only way mine came was intense (Acetylene ) heat, and then a 50 ton press

it was rumored that bmw may have used some sort of adhesive in some random builds. Some just pop out, others are damn near welded

[scooper]

when did bmw supposedly apply adhesive? early, mid, or late model e36 builds? Can't be at random. That's not Germanic lol. I'm going to try the bfh method and see how it goes...

[DRMe36M3]

Im sure its nothing more than rumor, some of us had much harder times than others is all. Didnt see a pattern to it.

[scooper]

removed the axle with an 8lb sledge, 24oz ball peen hammer and some pb blaster. Just took 3-4 small to medium hits. Now to get that sucker back on there sometime....thanks guys...

[RagnarDanskjold]

Don't forget the circlip!

[Stephen Max]

Don't forget the circlip!

Uh, yeah, the bearing is retained with a circlip. Which you can get at after you remove the axle shaft.

[ThreeD]

removed the axle with an 8lb sledge, 24oz ball peen hammer and some pb blaster. Just took 3-4 small to medium hits. Now to get that sucker back on there sometime....thanks guys...

Great. Make sure you clean those splines well and use antiseize and you shouldn't have an issue getting it back in

[ThreeD]

Also, I present to you, the mother of all pullers. I hope E doesn't mind me posting it here:

https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/284134_10150278149488324_2119347_n.jpg

[scooper]

that's awesome! no of course I don't mind. Are you pushing the axle out in that pic? Did you make that yourself?

The abs sensor didn't come out easily so I left it in the hub. I'm going to buy a new one.