Rear Axle...48 Desoto..With pics

[thrashingcows]

Well after I got the rear drums and brakes off and found the the axle seals were shot, I figured I pull the axles. Well after doing much reading through the archives I tried using my custom made slide hammer, machinist neighbor made it and gave it to me when he moved.

This did not work...other then to take many chunks out of my leather gloves. I learned to wear gloves after the first time I used the slide hammer....flesh hurts a lot more then glove leather....

So I had to figure out another way to get those axles out. A couple people said they used a odd set-up with a pipe wrench and hammer to pop them loose. This got me to thinking and looking around the garage for something that might work. I finally came across an old class I trailer hitch.

Here's what I did....

The hole for the ball was just the right size, and then the long flat hitch was stout enough to beat on with my big hammer....worked like a charm.

[thrashingcows]

Once I saw the odd green and brown fluid that came out of the axle, and the condition of the pinion seal, I figured I better pull the pumpkin. I had to chissel through years of grease, dirt and grime just to free up most of the nuts on the pumpkin.

Once those were off I tried and tried to get the pumpkin loose but it just wouldn't budge. I finally happened to notice the small copper crush washers...ahhh not I see why it wouldn't come loose. So after working those loose and off the pumpkin came out no problem.

[thrashingcows]

Then I decided I would remove the pinion seal. Well the Yoke came off no problem...after some more digging that is. But the pinion seal proved to be a formidable adversary.

After breaking by cheap seal puller I had to resort to cold chisels and pry pars. Took several hours but I finally vanquished this mighty foe.

Just waiting on the pinion seal to arrive so I can re-assemble the rear axle.

[greg g]

I have a pinion seal that looks just like yours in a plastic bag sliding around under the seat of my jetta.

Fyi new seal part number national 7216 or C/R 18912

Your axle tool needs a post to the tech archives section. Cool idea.

[thrashingcows]

I have a pinion seal that looks just like yours in a plastic bag sliding around under the seat of my jetta.

Fyi new seal part number national 7216 or C/R 18912

Your axle tool needs a post to the tech archives section. Cool idea.

Thanks....I wondered if there was a place to post up new ideas for working on these old beasts. I will see if I can post it up there.

As for pinion seal...I wasn't sure and did a lot of reading and research and came up with national 18880 as the seal number for my application....guess I'll see if it the right one when it gets here.

[Young Ed]

Still seems like a piece of PVC and using the drum as a puller would be much simpler than beating on something.

[Fluid drive]

I have been sorely tried by the keyed rear axles in those cars too!! Usually they can be removed by sliding a drum on backwards and starting an axle nut just far enough that the drum is loose enough to be used like that ingenious slide hammer pictured earlier in this thread. The removal of both backing plates helps even if you only intend to remove one axle. Many of the old mechanics I used to work with would use a log chain by slipping a link over the threads and screwing the nut on to the end and then whipping the chain. That usually works too but can be a dangerous proposition.

Fluid Drive