Axles stuck in hubs...any ideas?

**mko** · 12-14-2011, 09:09 PM

Just started on the AWD and I cant get the rear axles out of the hubs. Searched around and found its either a shop press or sledge hammer type of deal.

Any smart tricks or tips?

Thanks

**RedGalant2k1** · 12-14-2011, 09:17 PM

Problem with the hammer deal is that you could mushroom the end of the axle. I'd recommend the shop press and a little heat.

**mko** · 12-14-2011, 09:26 PM

I hear ya. Its either save it all or destroy it all. If i had to buy new hubs at $170 each and 2 rear axles which are very hard to find these days, it will cost me about $800 in total

**Exhaust power** · 12-14-2011, 09:28 PM

Turn it into a slide hammer if you know what i mean? if i had a pick on the type of axle i would help you improvise on removing it.

also http://www.dsmtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198119

**Skyforger** · 12-14-2011, 09:42 PM

PBlaster. I'd let the axle/hub do an overnight soak in a bath of the stuff. Stuff works miracles for heavily rusted parts.

**RedGalant2k1** · 12-14-2011, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by Skyforger

PBlaster. I'd let the axle/hub do an overnight soak in a bath of the stuff. Stuff works miracles for heavily rusted parts.

Problem with the axles on Mitsubishi is that the hub and axle are different metals, and as a result there is metal bonding that can occur. But its always worth a shot... :)

**troubled4g64t** · 12-14-2011, 09:57 PM

What I did was soaked the shit out of them w/ pb blaster then hit it with heat and an air chisel

**M-Rod** · 12-14-2011, 10:07 PM

Ahh, I remember this like it was yesterday even though it's been 2 years. I tried a 30-ton shop press and it broke the spindle lol. New hubs and axles were my end result.

**master_visionary** · 12-14-2011, 10:37 PM

Cap it with a snug socket and hit the socket I have done my share of axles I use some liquid wrench and this method without fail

Yet anyways

**Skyforger** · 12-14-2011, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by RedGalant2k1

Problem with the axles on Mitsubishi is that the hub and axle are different metals, and as a result there is metal bonding that can occur. But its always worth a shot... :)

Had this same issue with the family's 94 Nissan Sentra hub and axle. The PBlaster bath made a huge difference.

**Corey2kG** · 12-14-2011, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by M-Rod

Ahh, I remember this like it was yesterday even though it's been 2 years. I tried a 30-ton shop press and it broke the spindle lol. New hubs and axles were my end result.

Yeah I ended up getting new hubs n axles n since I had a core on the axles I had to cut the hubs with the torch n press them out. So new hubs n axles are your best bet.

**DOHCstunr** · 12-14-2011, 11:26 PM

Just hit it with a mapp gas torch. Heat it up evenly but thoroughly. Walk away and let it cool. spray the heck out of it from both sides with pbblaster. Let it soak. Come back later, heat it up again. Repeat this process until it you can get it to come loose with a dead-blow hammer. Do not use a metal hammer, no good can come from it.

**RAZ_76** · 12-15-2011, 12:07 AM

http://youtu.be/1wPOxB0p7TQ

**Corey2kG** · 12-15-2011, 12:22 AM

Originally Posted by RAZ_76

http://youtu.be/1wPOxB0p7TQ

That doesnt always work.. At least for me it didnt.

**w/oarctic7g** · 12-15-2011, 12:59 AM

I like to just put the nut on backwards so end of nut is flush with end of axle and whack it a few times with sledge. As long as you dont go crazy with that it prevents mushrooming the axle. If more stubborn than that the axle ends have a nice recess that a pencil tip bit fits nicely on using a good air hammer or electric it only takes a second or two.
Why not leave it as an assembly and slap it up there all at once?

**deeznutz** · 12-15-2011, 05:59 AM

Originally Posted by RAZ_76

http://youtu.be/1wPOxB0p7TQ

That's a nifty tool !

**galantboost** · 12-15-2011, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by M-Rod

Ahh, I remember this like it was yesterday even though it's been 2 years. I tried a 30-ton shop press and it broke the spindle lol. New hubs and axles were my end result.

similar result on my passenger side axle...i had to buy new spindle and hub...i tired heat and everything n it would not move...the axle actually broke the press machine my boy was using to get the axle out...

**master_visionary** · 12-15-2011, 08:14 AM

Wow shout out to anyone hat still uses hand tools for their work
With elbow grease for power and determination for a battery

Maybe your broke maybe your old school

Me I'm a lil of both

But the axle nut trick works I wrote my last post a lot tired. New baby. But flip the nut put one one of those circle battery terminal pad things trimmed on it THEN cap it with a socket and put your back into it