[65comet]

How do you push the axles back into the housing? The new bearing fits snug into the bearing housing and goes in about an 1/8 on an inch before stopping.

I don't have the 3rd member in yet...just want the axles installed for caluculating overall width for wheel sizing.

Do I use a hammer ?

thanks

g

[Tim C]

Should take a few light taps with a rubber tipped hammer/mallet. To remove them use a slide hammer, or turn the drums around backwards and start 3 lugnuts, and use the drum as a poor mans slidehammer.

[302 Z28]

Another method to remove the axles is to use a length of chain. Take one link and place it over a lug bolt and secure it with a large washer and lug nut. Now take the free end of the chain and make a whipping motion with it. The axle will come right out after about four or five whips.

Vince

[bentwings]

He says he is trying to install the axels not remove them. But that is a good way to remove them when stuck.

If you have the bearings, seals and retainers on be careful installing just the axels. First off the backing plate is .120 thick and you will be missing this so the retainers will be out about 1/8 inch. Also the rubber seal edges can get caught in the small groove between the bearing race and the housing. If you pinch it, it gets cut and the seal is damaged. @#$% You really need to replace it which then may cost you bearings, seald and labor. @#@$% again. Just gently install the 4 retainer bolts and nuts and snug them up to about 1/8 clearance . You can go a bit farther but be careful about bending the retainer.

I have exactly the same problem with the new disc brake set up I installed on the Willys. My helper jammed the seals and cut one. I've already replaced the bearings and seals twice due to bad bearing ( from new). This time I used an old fix from the auto shop days. I carefully cleaned the housing and seal then applied silicone sealer to both and installed everything. Since it is mine I can live with it and if it leaks it is my fault. So far it is holding up great.

A final note, if you are installing disc brakes you will need a spacer to make up for the backing plates. I made one out of .125 aluminum which worked fine.

[joe k]

I just went thru the same thing last weekend. After sanding any rust on the axle bearing race and the end of the axle tube of the rear end I just picked up, I found that if I pushed the axle in with one hand and wiggled the splined end with the other hand it would go almost all the way in. Then a couple of taps with a rubber mallet and it was in.

[65comet]

thanks guys....lots of good info....