removing drive axle

[fuggle]

I'm trying to get the drive axle out of the trailing arm. At first i tried to tap it out. I didn't want to hit it too hard. It wouldn't budge. Next I rigged up a gear puller to try and push it through. Still won't budge.

Any ideas how to get this out?

Kent

[mzmtg]

You disconnected it from the diff and dropped that end down first, right?

[fuggle]

Yes. Its disconnected from the diff.

Interestingly, the bentley instructions have you remove it from the trailing arm first. ??

Kent

[///M3 CRAZY]

get a punch and hammer it right out. you can use a squirt of PB blaster to loosen up any corrosion first.

[red97tj]

get a punch and hammer it right out. you can use a squirt of PB blaster to loosen up any corrosion first.

+1

[onetrillionrpm]

use a brass hammer or a rubber mallet

[fuggle]

On the passenger side it came out with an axle puller.

On the driver side, I've tried rubber hammer, puller bolt w/sledge, axle puller w impact wrench, axle puller w/4ft breaker bar.

Nada. Nothing. Won't budge a mm.

Any more ideas?

Kent

[///M3 CRAZY]

dude use a punch with a nice 5lb hammer...

[choffa]

Same issue here, heat & force got it.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=880901&highlight=fretting

[axthrower]

Stay away from smashing parts with big hammers... heat and a hub puller to press the axle out is the answer

[///M3 CRAZY]

Stay away from smashing parts with big hammers... heat and a hub puller to press the axle out is the answer

it's not "smashing parts" it is that that part is a very tight fit and if there is any corrosion build up it makes it difficult to get it out. i would rather hammer on it a bit then burning a rear bearing. then you are in a world of hurt to replace that.

[red97tj]

be patient & use pb blaster to let it soak in. if it's really stubborn spray it for at least a day or 2 & use a gear puller to push it out.

[///M3 CRAZY]

some of you guys just need to grow some...

to the OP, is the axle broken? why does it need to come out? or better said what is the project you are working on. cause you may not need to remove it or if it is broken then there is no reason to treat it like an ex girlfriend.....

[axthrower]

it's not "smashing parts" it is that that part is a very tight fit and if there is any corrosion build up it makes it difficult to get it out. i would rather hammer on it a bit then burning a rear bearing. then you are in a world of hurt to replace that.

Usual reason for the axle to come out would be TO replace the bearing... but yes heat will destroy the bearing but they are known to go bad and I'd replace it anyways if the axle was coming out.

[///M3 CRAZY]

last time i did this was case the axle became a 2 piece at the track. but "IF" the bearing is shot and that is the reason for removal then why not just pound it out. once you get it to break free it will slide out the rest of the way fairly easily.

[fuggle]

The project is to remove the trailing arm.

I may replace the bearing while I'm in there but that was not the original purpose.

Even with a sledge and a punch the thing is not moving.

Kent

[///M3 CRAZY]

The project is to remove the trailing arm.

I may replace the bearing while I'm in there but that was not the original purpose.

Even with a sledge and a punch the thing is not moving.

Kent

is it damaged from hitting a curb or something? i have never had that much of a problem. it sounds like there is something else going on. it really should not be that difficult! the only other option i can suggest now is to take the trailing arm off with the axle attached and then use a hydrolic press to push the axle out later. the only reason i say this is cause you are taking the arm off anyway. i think that may be your only hope at the moment.

[fuggle]

Agreed it shouldn't be this difficult!

To my knowledge the car hasn't been in an accident. I've had the car for a few months and about 2k miles.

While taking apart the pass side I found a broken stabilizer link. Maybe too much suspension travel?

My last resort is as you suggest, take the trailing arm out with the axle in it and try to press it out.

I don't know. Maybe the bearing is fried and heated everything up.

For now I will keep soaking in PB daily til the weekend.

Kent

[///M3 CRAZY]

Agreed it shouldn't be this difficult!

To my knowledge the car hasn't been in an accident. I've had the car for a few months and about 2k miles.

While taking apart the pass side I found a broken stabilizer link. Maybe too much suspension travel?

My last resort is as you suggest, take the trailing arm out with the axle in it and try to press it out.

I don't know. Maybe the bearing is fried and heated everything up.

For now I will keep soaking in PB daily til the weekend.

Kent


good luck! let us know how it works out....

[ublemaschine]

At work I always use pb blast and a centerpunch bit on an airhammer to get axles loose. If you are replacing the trailing arm, dont wory about screwing up the bearing because you are going to ruin it taking it out of the trailing arm. +1 on removing it with the axle and using a press if you cant get it with some sort of punch/hammer combo.

[fuggle]

Question: how is it that a 12 ton press cannot get this axle out of the hub?

Something is seriously messed up.

Kent

[350chevrolet]

Question: how is it that a 12 ton press cannot get this axle out of the hub?

Something is seriously messed up.

Kent


its rusted in there. somethimes they do that and will not move no matter what you do. you just have to replace the whole thing. i know, its a pita.

[ublemaschine]

I just went to replace one of my wheelbearings saturday and guess what! The axle won't come out. Hopefully soaking it with pb blast for a couple days will get it loose or its off to the press. When it gets there something will give. If I'm gonna have to replace everything I am definately gonna make sure I break some stuff along the way! lol

[Jrdeamicis]

I cant really see how it would be easy to get the whole trailing arm on the press due to the dust shield.

The sledge and the punch sounds like the ticket, of course with the nut on there to protect the threads.

[fuggle]

I cant really see how it would be easy to get the whole trailing arm on the press due to the dust shield.

The sledge and the punch sounds like the ticket, of course with the nut on there to protect the threads.

It wasn't easy. I had to be creative. The drive axle sticking out the bottom was my main problem.

In the end I put the control arm mounts in jack stands on my press. It was surprizingly stable. Still no movement though.

Kent

[fuggle]

I just went to replace one of my wheelbearings saturday and guess what! The axle won't come out. Hopefully soaking it with pb blast for a couple days will get it loose or its off to the press. When it gets there something will give. If I'm gonna have to replace everything I am definately gonna make sure I break some stuff along the way! lol

I'm pullin' for you man. ;)

After two weekends of pushing, pulling, banging, and pressing, I've admitted defeat.

Don't go down with out a fight! :)

Kent