Half shaft removal

[Gareth]

Hi,
Anybody got any ideas or made up a special tool to get the half shaft out on a Marina diff. The bearing is shot and no amount of hammering
will get it to come out. Looks like I'l have to make up a heavy duty slide hammer as all the ones I've seen don't look man enough. Also tried
heating the housing but no good.
Cheers
Gareth.

[stevejgreen]

Re: Half shaft removal

Sounds like someone has had the Loctite out.
I have in the past borrowed a slide hammer from my local independant tyre fitters.
Not a particularly heavy duty one, but it worked after a good soak with Plusgas.

A Tip:
If you are planning on removing the hub and changing the bearing, undo the hub nut whilst the car is on the ground with the tyre on. Much easier than trying to stop a halfshaft from turning in a vice.
Using a 20 Ton hydraulic press to remove the hub and bearing is really the only way, three legged pullers are generally not up to the job.

[b_caswell]

Re: Half shaft removal

Hi Gareth,

Disconnect the brakes and undo the four back plate bolts and then put the wheel back on loosely and pull the whole assembly out then with the centre nut slackened on the bench you need a puller or take it to the local garage and get them to press it off. I would recommend using Loctite bearing fit or similar when replacing as its not unknown for the bearing to move on the shaft.

[Gareth]

Re: Half shaft removal

Thanks for the quick responses. I've now got it off. It probably won't please the engineers amongst you, but I got the angle grinder out
and cut a chunk off the inner race and dropped the balls out one by one which allowed me to pull out the half shaft. No damage done
to the shaft. Then hammered away at the outer race using loads of WD40. I ground out a small slot on the edge of the outer race so I
could hammer it around in the housing which loosened it enough to get the bugger out. The housing and shaft look fine.
Desparate times etc......
Just got to put it all together now....
Hope this may help some one else
Gareth.

[stevejgreen]

Re: Half shaft removal

That sounds like 'Marine' engineering. The job has to be done when you are bobbing around mid Adlantic. Niceties take a back seat in favour of a result when the Captain and rest of the crew are pressuring you!
Nothing wrong with the method, the root of the word Engineer is after all Ingenuity, and its the result that counts.

[Gareth]

Re: Half shaft removal

And a big hammer!!!

[b_caswell]

Re: Half shaft removal

Theres more than one way to crack an egg! 10 out of 10 for not giving up.

[cameronfurnival]

Re: Half shaft removal

grinder contains the word "grin" - who first said that?

[b_caswell]

Re: Half shaft removal

Not when you attack your own thigh with a sliting blade. OUCH!

[Gareth]

Re: Half shaft removal

Just plucking up the courage to do the other side now!

Gareth.

[stevejgreen]

Re: Half shaft removal

From previous experience, having resolved a difficult job, you will never come across the same problems again.
Did you take pictures of your progress last time, grinder or debris in hand.

[Gareth]

Re: Half shaft removal

Bit ackward to hold the camera and operate the grinder and smile for the camera at the same time, lol!
I'll try and get some posted soon.
Gareth.

[bobandjaneburden]

Re: Half shaft removal

i had the loan of a very very big puller from tha marina owners club.

[stevejgreen]

Re: Half shaft removal

These sometimes come up on eBay. Made for Triumphs and hood for pulling hubs from halfshafts, could probably be adapted to pull bearings as well.

[lil_red_roadster]

Re: Half shaft removal

I have one of the above...and with a little extra machining it handles Sprint axles as well.
Expensive but makes a good Xmas present..!