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Rusty axles grrrrr


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Howdy ya'll

Looking for for some advice on removing a rear axle from a 89 gl wagon.

was able to separate it easily from the differential, but havent been able to slide it off the hub spline.

Have tried pb blaster, tappn with a hammer, torches....all the above at the same time...and the darn axle just stays put. Any advice would be great!

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Yup spring pins removed and hole is freee n clear. If i shine a light down in the hole you can see the cv started to slide off the spline.

But something is catching it

Not rebooting...axles look like their in great shape. Just wanna get to the bearings so i can swap them out.

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I'm not sure how the older cars axles are set up. But on my 09 forester, the front axles we so unbelievably stuck i ended up using an air hammer with a round tip and using the air hammer to get it out.

 

Didn't damage my axle and it came out (after about 30 seconds of hammering. Omg my ears hurt after that one)

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Work it back on, and off. Might take a lot of that. If you use an air hammer, wear ear muffs. Hearing damage is cumulative, and permanent.

Heh. Yeah. I have earmuff. But what's like "it'll come right out" Yeah. Bad decision. Don't be stupid like me. Be safe.

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I'm not sure how the older cars axles are set up. But on my 09 forester, the front axles we so unbelievably stuck i ended up using an air hammer with a round tip and using the air hammer to get it out.

Didn't damage my axle and it came out (after about 30 seconds of hammering. Omg my ears hurt after that one)

 

Holy crackers i cant imagine how bad the white noise was in your ears....the ringing must have lasted for hours!

Wish i could drive the axle out of the hub, but the rear hubs on these old subees arent set up for that...grr the front axles are which the thought is still driving me batty!

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Could try driving it around for awhile with the spring pin out...  :brow:

I'll use this trick if i cant get a wheel to brreak free from the rusty clutches of lug bolts.

Interesting idea tho....what do you think the chances of stripping the splines on the axle are? Guess I'll find soon enough cause this mission is a go!

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I've driven Subarus without pins they'll have slop and vibrate really bad but I've never seen one come out...I think even on a 2" lift once.

 

So I'm not recommending it and it may vary across models and suspensions aaand I would t drive it 80mph like that but I'd guess usually it's going to give warning before it damages anything.

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I guess I'd try driving it some.  In 4wd occasionally - on & off a lot.  Keep hitting it with penetrating oil.  Check it for movement before each drive.  Also, driving it off and back on [even if its only moving a little] should help work the crud out, loosen up.

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Actually that 4wd bit is a good idea. Lock it in 4wd and take a couple tight pavement turns, let them axles bind up real good. Maybe a couple screechy hops. Sure won't sound or feel good, but it's going to put more force on that axle than you'll ever be able to.

I get em' out with a big chisel and a sledgehammer, but that's a lot easier to do with the car up on a lift than working on the ground with a jackstand.

That's what I do when even the air hammer won't get them to budge. Something I've seen other guys in the garage do is use ratchet straps to pull them out. I've never tried that one. Seems a little sketchy for me, but it works for them, and no injuries yet.

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Oh, thanks re: the roof rack.

It comes in handy for the once in a while need to haul long things, or sheet goods.

The weight is on the rain gutters and front bumper. Tied into the oem rack tracks only for front to back, and no load mounting.

 

Somewhere around 300Lbs it starts to make the car handle funny.

 

Always use ratchet straps and be sure things are secure, drive slower, and look ahead farther, etc.

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I Gave up on spring pins on the rear long ago and recently stoped using them on the front aswell i moved to a 16 penny nail bent over no issues on my rig so far no vibration or anything it makes changing them so much easyer

 

I See no reason you cant run with out a pin run over some big bumps at speed in 4wd the shock load should break it free

Edited by ferp420
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HA! True story, 35 years ago, a buddy bought a really rusty 74 Firebird. I kept trying to get him to trade me for my 72 Ford LTD, which was really a much nicer car, but, y'know, it was a 4 door. One day I talked him into just trading for the night, so he could truly experience what a fine ride the LTD was. My brother and I then took the "Bird" up to another town, to pick up our girlfriends for the weekend. On the way back, we had a flat on the r. rear. No big surprise, because the tire was as bald as I am now. Wheel was rusted to the hub. Beat, pried, kicked, cussed, not budging. Put 2 lug nuts on loose, waited for no traffic, and swerved back and forth, doing doughnuts in the middle of the highway trying to get it to break free. Finally so furious, I just loaded everyone back aboard, put the lug nuts on finger tight, and proceeded for home. For the first few miles, the sound and vibration was horrendous. Then, after most of the tire had beaten itself free, it was smooth and quiet as could be. Tire was completely gone except for the beads, which, miraculously stayed in place and kept the rim from touching the road. We drove over 40 miles at highway speeds without a peep from back there. A cop even passed us on that side without even looking over. 

The next morning, I walk out back when I hear the LTD pull in. My buddy's just standing there, glaring at his car. That thing was such a rustbucket, the flailing tire pieces had cleaned off a good 8 inches of the whole wheel well of swiss cheese looking rusty metal. It looked quite hideous. I explained that the wheel just wouldn't come off, but he said nothing. His face just got red while he pulled the jack out and proceeded to have a go at it himself, and he was a big boy! He had completely calmed down after about 40 minutes of furious beating, pounding, kicking cussing, bleeding, etc. So I asked him, "You wanna trade now?"

I finally freed the wheel from MY new Firebird with lots of penetrating oil and the right leverage with a big prybar against the brake drum.

Edited by Subaru Scott
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