Having just wasted another day in the garage I hurl myself before The Forum once again:

Rear diff on an escort axle is not keen on coming apart! Also half-shafts seem happy where they are!

This wouldn't normally be a problem, except that Merlin has kindly agreed to weld on some suspension brakets for me, and I didn't think he'd be too keen on hefting the whole bloody thing around as it weighs a tonne. As such I'm trying to pull the thing apart so that I can give him just the casing.

I've had a go at bashing the hell out of a wheel inner once re-united with it's half shaft, but the things just are not shifting!

Also, having undone the ring of nuts around the outside rim of the diff flange I now find that it too is reluctant to be freed. I can get it about half inch clear, but now the gears seem to be holding it firm in place (it doesn't even want to go back!)- and I don't really want to damage them.

Suffice to say I mad a big mess using lots of diff fluid, but other than that achieved nothing!

If all else fails I may be in the market for a new rear axle....

Any help or advice more than welcome

Mark

The diff will not come out until you have removed the halfshafts as they engage into it.You would really be best to obtain or make a proper shaft puller, or maybe apply a little heat to the bearing housing end of the axle.
Paul.

quote:

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Having just wasted another day in the garage I hurl myself before The Forum once again:

I've had a go at bashing the hell out of a wheel inner once re-united with it's half shaft, but the things just are not shifting!

Also, having undone the ring of nuts around the outside rim of the diff flange I now find that it too is reluctant to be freed. I can get it about half inch clear, but now the gears seem to be holding it firm in place (it doesn't even want to go back!)- and I don't really want to damage them.

Suffice to say I mad a big mess using lots of diff fluid, but other than that achieved nothing!

If all else fails I may be in the market for a new rear axle....

Any help or advice more than welcome

Mark

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The way I did it was to losen the brake shoe backing plate (with the shoes and gubbins removed first). It can't be removed but it does allow movement. Then, using a suitable lump of metal through the inspection hole, you can hammer direclt onto the end of the half shaft. A few swift clouts and it will come out.
I am of course dreading putting it back in

I'm sure this has been covered before but I can't remember the outcome and I'm too lazy to look at past posts so here goes:

Is it really neccessary to remove the half shafts to weld the suspension brackets on I would have thought the chances of damage were very slim.

I just can't bear the thoughts of all this half shaft trauma that every one seems to go through!

I blindly followed the book and removed them. I have had the same thought as you however decided removal was best.
My reasons were:

Easier to handle and clean axle

Fear of having hot metal in contact with oil inside the axle.

With hind sight (and a few pictures showing the opposite) I would consider leaving them in if I did a 2nd build.

So you knock it through the hole to loosen it and then pull it out same as normal?

Sounds nice and easy...

cheers for the advice guys - any further comments still welcome!

Mark

where are you,ive got a slide hammer that will get them out faster than you can make a cup of tea

The axle is in a place near to Ware.
I live in Bishop's Stortford which is a 15min drive away, and is smack on top of Stansted Airport and M11 Junction 8 - for anyone who uses it that's where the road works are!

Be great to borrow it - I looked into hiring one, but it's £30 ish for a weekend!

Your very welcome to stop by tho and have a giggle at the lack of progress. If you give us fair warning I'll get some tea in!

If not, I might be able to swing by yours on the way to Merlin's pad? You're in London aren't you?

theconrodkid, likes his tea made with fizzy water!!!!!

Yup frothy tea is good for you,my garage is in south harrow,phone no 0208 423 1025,not far from merlins place,gis a ring ps i also like cream cakes.

I'll give you a bell once I get my life in order and know when I'm going to Merlin's. I might be down there sooner tho as I've got mate's who've just moved to Harrow.... Anyways - I'll warn you if I'm coming and I'll bring some baked goods.

Im allways easier to talk to when i have some food inside me,prefrably fried or the cream cake variety

Im allways easier to talk to when i have some food inside me,prefrably fried or the cream cake variety

Hi,

Just a proposal, this is the way I did:

Take a way the four nuts holding the "end plate" close to the bearing and turn this end plate a little bit, about 10mmm or so.
Refit the four nuts from the backside, so the end of the nuts meets the twisted end plate. Tighten the nuts a little bit at each nut, and the axle is gently forced out.

Worked great for me.

Good luck.

/Hasse

I know you guys were all desperate to know how this situation panned out....

Anyways - it's all sorted!

Usual mechanics approach - it was all sorted by hitting it much harder with a much bigger hammer!!

I now need a new wheel rim, but that's a whole nother story....

Many thanks to all for your advice - now I've just gotta go get my chassis! Great Stuff

Mark