Solved! Looking For Ideas How to Remove Cracked Axle Housing

[Jason in DLH]

Anyone have ideas how to remove the axle tube when it’s cracked? In this video at 1:40 you can see how easy it is to remove the tube along with the axle shaft....

Mine is cracked and I can’t get any leverage. I’ve used a screw driver and tried prying the bolt holes on the tube and notice a little separation, but then mates back together.

Please...flood me with ideas!

 

[Jason in DLH]

If you’re wondering I have removed all the bolts around it including the ones on top.

 

[Doubeleive]

Should come off just like they show in the video, unbolt the 1/2 shaft like they did it will be snug but you can wiggle it a bit and it will come loose and you can let it dangle, unclip the actuator harness, then unbolt the 2 bolts and loosen the bracket above and you should be able to pull it out like they did. looks like yours has already been rebuilt before. you might need to stick a putty tool in the edge a few times to crack that seal open.

 

[Jason in DLH]

A putty tool! Great idea! I will try that. Thanks!

 

[Doubeleive]

A putty tool! Great idea! I will try that. Thanks!

be careful not to mess up the edge so you can seal the new one up without any trouble, I would try to work it in from around the outside edge of the bolt holes

 

[Jason in DLH]

Definitely don’t want to do that.

 

[Jason in DLH]

I have lots of those putty tools, so I think that should get it.

 

[Tonyrodz]

@Rocket Man had the same issue, even tho his is an 02. Maybe he can give you some tips or tricks.

 

[Jason in DLH]

Got it! I tried the plastic putty tool, but that wasn’t working, so I resorted to a clean, sharp chisel and tapped it ever so lightly. It popped and then I threw the plastic putty tool in to hold it as my wife was calling me to come in for lunch lunch.



Case closed. Thanks for the suggestion Tony!

 

[Jason in DLH]

Guys...I FINALLY was able to remove the old axle tube! The first part that came out was the tube and the axle shaft. Then I had to keep prying at the broken mating surface.







I’m just waiting on a new bearing and moly grease which comes in a few days.