92 gmc top kick axle removal ?

glennster

Well-known Member

• Apr 3, 2015

• #1

trying to remove a rear ale on a 92 gmc top kick . pulled the 12 nuts and washers off the outer end of the axle flange. there are conical tapered wedge type spacers that push in against the outer axle flange. only about 3/16 of an inch of the retainer sticking out. any easy trick to getting these out? they are stuck in there pretty good

 

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glennster

Well-known Member

• Apr 3, 2015

• #1

here are a coupla pics

this is the keeper that is in there


<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">

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here is a pic of the end of the axle, you can see there is not much room to get a hold of them, and the axle shaft is not threaded to try and pull it that way.


<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">

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Grampy

Member

• Apr 3, 2015

• #1

A good swat or two with at least an 8lb sledge should do it.

 

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CJinMI

Member

• Apr 3, 2015

• #1

OTC makes a plier for them. I've had moderate succsess
with end cutters-think hoof trimmer or Farrier type-
sometimes heat, mostly a BFH on end of axle.
I hate those.

 

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glennster

Well-known Member

• Apr 3, 2015

• #1

tried that, problem is those keepers are split in one side so they bite in to the studs when they are tightened down. have about a half hour in removing jut one, have a total of 24 to remove,,, grrrr

 

Blackhole49

Well-known Member

Location

White Lake MI

• Apr 3, 2015

• #1

As grampy said, smack the end of the axle with a bfh.

 

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CJinMI

Member

• Apr 3, 2015

• #1

I should have added google
axle cone pliers, sorry.

 

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gbs

Member

• Apr 3, 2015

• #1

it takes a firm lick with a 8# sledge or larger to the axle to make them pop back far enough to spread them a little with a screw driver so they can be removed,if that has failed install a 2 nuts onto the stud using 2 wrenches tighten the nuts against each other then using a air wrench on the outer nut remove the stud from the hub BTDT many a time,old feller that use to run a repair shop near here show me that method after he failed to get a set loose with a hammer even though it was a 20# sledge, of course 4 spectators were standing there watching them whip his end, he got them out by removing the studs

 

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MARK ROBKE

Well-known Member

• Apr 3, 2015

• #1

As said below,use a big sledge and don't be afraid to swing.But DON"T hit the studs!!The axle will pop out and then you can drive a screwdriver into the splits of the cones and work them out.Mark

 

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Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

• Apr 3, 2015

• #1

Try hitting the side of the flange. That will push it sideways against the taper and pop them out. Just don't hit it directly over the hole.

 

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Bob

Well-known Member

• Apr 3, 2015

• #1

Yep, EXACTLY right. A couple of good straight-on smacks to the face of the axle and it will pop the cones out a little way on the rebound.

Tap the tip of an appropriately-sized screwdriver into the slots to spread 'em just a little and they can be slid off with fingers.

 

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ditchwitch

Well-known Member

• Apr 3, 2015

• #1

Hit the center of the axle hub with a sledge hammer it will fix you right up. Thats how we got them off back in the day.

 

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ditchwitch

Well-known Member

• Apr 3, 2015

• #1

LMAO, I just figured out what the BFH ment . Good one

 

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glennster

Well-known Member

• Apr 3, 2015

• #1

well so far i have been clobbering it with a 10 lb sledge, nothing. the keepers are in so far there is no gap in the slot to put a screwdriver to spread it. no movement from the axle flange to the hub either. tried to back the studs out....no go there either, will snap the studs if i go any harder. rattled around on it with an air hammer too. tried a chisel, nada. ohhh this is gonna be hours of fun. even heated with the oxy acet torch. no go on the sideways smack either.

 

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Bob

Well-known Member

• Apr 3, 2015

• #1

Huh... never had the hammer trick fail and we are talking about rusty ancient farm trucks.

I use a 16# hammer, tho!

 

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ditchwitch

Well-known Member

• Apr 3, 2015

• #1

Hit that center hub like you mean it. them love taps aint gonna work. LOL

 

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to_many_irons

Member

• Apr 3, 2015

• #1

put the tires back on and set it on floor .
less bounce when you hit it .
note leave the nuts on flush to the studs .
not so hard to clean up the threads when you hit the stud ,
have fun where safty glass please .

 

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Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

• Apr 3, 2015

• #1

Loosen the nuts, go for a drive? A very jerky drive!

 

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Tim in OR

Member

• Apr 4, 2015

• #1

Yep, and if you can't get one out, drive a long rod in from the other side after you get the other one out.
Tim in OR 16 years truck mech. in a different life