Well, I've got the front axle apart with all the bushings removed from ends of the front axle. The thrust tapered roller bearing on the left side was completely disintegrated and the races had ground together, were worn in two, and gone. I've got it ready to receive the new thrust bearings and bushings, but removing the center pivot pin now is the problem. The bushings are completely shot in the bulkhead at each end of the pivot pin, and have to be remvoved. Yes, I've removed the cross pin that retains the pivot pin in the axle. I had to drill a 7/8 inch hole through the bulkhead just above the retaining bolt to drive it out. I have an 8 ton bottle jack lying horizontal that I'm trying to push on the end of the pivot pin via a small spacer between the base of the bottle jack and pivot pin. I've taken a 1/2" log chain and looped it around the axle on the left side and on the right side (4 strands of 1/2 inch log chain. I've used a piece of steel 2" X 3" across the ram of the bottle jack that is lying horizontal (I crushed a piece of 3 x 3 square tubing the first time around). The jack was pumped up until it stalled, and I've had the two chain loops so tight that I could play a tune on them. Yet nothing has popped loose yet. Even while the chains were so tight, I could still easily pivot the front axle which indicates that I was directly pushing on the pin and directly transferring the force into the axle - it wasn't binding the assembly at all. Apparently, the pin (2-1/4" diameter) is rusted into the axle. I've tried heat with my oxy-acetylene torch, but I can't heat the whole center of that massive axle. I plan to get a 20 - 30 ton bottle jack tomorrow and keep pumping until something breaks, or hopefully, breaks loose. Anyone have any ideas? Ken McWilliams
Stalled in Dayton, OH
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