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I have finished working on the front axle so it is time to take the rear one apart on my M38A1.

I have the axles out and the differential cover and the carrier bearing caps off.

Now the front carrier was really tight all the way out and I had to use a slide hammer to slowly inch it out. The rear one is acting different. I can grab the ring gear and pull on the carrier with my hand and it turns loose and starts to come out but I can’t pull it out by hand. It gets to a point where it gets tight. I got two pry bars and worked on trying to get it out. Still can’t get past the tight part. I got the slide hammer out and banged away pulling it upwards. Still I could not get it past the tight spot. I am guessing it is getting hung up on the housing. I don’t have a case spreader. Does anyone have any other ideas? I am about ready to run my hoist cable through the side of the carrier and suspend it from the I-beam and let the weight of the housing help pull it out.

Thanks, Alan

When I worked on my front axle, I had to use wrecking bar with a cheater pipe to pry the carrier from the case. But putting it back is was difficult at first. I ruin the new bearing cones first time I tried doing it with out a spreader. And trying to beat the carrier in with a 4 lb rubber hammer. What I finally did was heat the case up with a propane heater blower. I think the case only needs to stretch or expand a few thousands of an inch. That made it easier for the bearings and cones to slide back in the saddles. So maybe applying some heat to your case will help you get the carrier out. Good luck.
Ken

Thanks Ken.

I might try that as I have two blowtorches to heat both sides.

If that doesn’t work I might try making my own case spreader. Here are two links from the G503 folks. One is an OTC part the other is plans for a home grown version. I don’t’ know about the bottle jack idea. I would rather have a screw that I can slowly turn to increase the opening.


http://www.otctools.com/newcatalog/detail.php3?id=68

http://www.aoc.nrao.edu/~browen/spreader.pdf

Alan

When replacing the carrier, I have seen people put the carrier in a freezer first and heat the case.

Let us know how it turns out!