Pulling an axle

[jasonm]

Guys this is my first post, My name is Jason Meade and I am from Oromocto, New Brunswick,Canada.
I have a 42 canadian Slat grill, 43 Ford Gpw, and the current stresser is a 52 m-38 cdn.
I am trying to pull the axles out of the rear end, rear end is out and on the bench, I am looking for ideas to pull an axle or make a puller.
I have all the books and then some, this would be a one time use thing so not up to buying a tool to collect dust unless I have to.
Thanks jason

[TomM]

Hi Jason,
Welcome to the site.
I am assuming you are meaning you need to remove the rear hub. If that is right, here are a couple of resources:

http://www.film.queensu.ca/cj3b/tech/BrakeDrums.html

http://www.public.asu.edu/%7Egrover/willys/puller.html

Tom

[jasonm]

Thanks Tom, In fact it is the axel shafts, I have both drums and backing plates off, its just both shafts are held in place with the wheel bearings and races and i dont know how or a way to pull the bearings and races as you cant tap them out from the other side.
On a side note I guess i am missing a pub, its tm-9-804 wich i guess is the main one...crap.
Thanks jason

[wesk]

There's only a small amount of resistance between the race and the axle tube unless it has become corroded. Fabricating a fitting to attach to the axle and using a standard slide puller should unseat it quickly In a pinch just place a very large washer or steel plate on the threaded end of the axle and wrap a chain around the axle behind the nut and plate and crack the chain like a whip.

[jasonm]

Thanks Wes I guess that what i was looking for.
Was wondering how much tention would be on the shafts as there is a small amout of movement.
Thanks again.

[captw]

Jason, WES is right on the money (as usual)...I use a chain fastened to a couple of the wheel studs, and a bar in the chain to snap it...shafts pop right out!...Wilf

[wesk]

Hello Wilf,
You just jogged my brain again. Jason you can also reinstall the drum backwards and snug the nut up and then wrap the chain around the axle behind the drum.

I've seen a few that will actually pop right off just giving the backward mounted brake drum a tug.

[jasonm]

Wes, Bill thanks I will give em both a try tonight.
Jason

[weasel]

Jason

Good to see another M38 CDN owner the axles can be fun but once they come out it seems so easy.

What do you have in the front for axles the bendix or rezeppa

[jasonm]

Hey Weasel, Infact it is a civy front end mounted under it at the moment, Not sure as to if it is Bendix or Rezeppa, I was not going to open it up just looking for another unit to replace it with.
Jason

[jasonm]

If this turned out to be a civilian axle out of a cj would there be anydifference with regards to pulling the axles, I have pulled and pushed the rear end all around the garage floor to the point that it is starting to become comical...
I should have said it was a civilian rear in the m-38.

[wesk]

Only the pickiest of judges would gig you on your civvy axle assemblies. The fronts are essentially the same. The rears have grease fittings and relief ports where the civvy have only the vent port on the outboard tubes for the wheel bearings.

The tracta style axles are WWII. Bendix and Rzeppa are found in the early (pre M38) threaded end arrangement and later snap ring type ends without threads. The Spicer joint axle is the later replacements from the 50's on.

M38's would most likely have left the factory with the Rzeppa axles and would usually have received Rzeppa or Spicer during field replacements. I am sure a few Bendix slipped in there both at the factory and in the field.