Help with half shaft extraction. (That's what she said?)

[Moxie]

Hey guys, I need some help/advice. I'm trying to get my right half shaft out, and it won't budge. So far I've gotten the axle nut off, removed the brake caliper, rotor and strut, and I've disconnected the axle from the diff and have it hanging. So the only thing that needs to be done is to pull the axle from the hub, right?

So far I've tried using a rubber mallet, a nail hammer, and a mini sledge to hammer it out with an extension, a chisel, and a different extension (and every combination of those) all to no avail. I've also tried using a jaw puller, a pry bar, beating the sh!t out of the jaw puller with the sledge, and having my friend beat the sh!t out of the jaw puller with the sledge whilst I pry away from underneath the car.

This fvcker WILL NOT COME OUT!!! Jesus Christo. It was all gravy until now. Any suggestions? The only other thing we could think of was to torch it, but neither of us knows if that's safe to do on the E30 hub assembly, and what the potential consequences of doing so would be.

Any help or advice would be awesome!

[jlevie]

Step one would be to soak the outboard and inboard ends of the splines with PBlaster or Kroil each day for several days. Then use a dull pointed drift and a sledge to drive the half shaft out. You will need a helper for this.

Once the half shaft is out clean the splines and look for any signs of galling, which will probably be present. If there is any galling the half shaft and the hub (and bearing) will have to be replaced.

[campbellj25]

We usually use an air hammer at work, but with no access to air or its just too stubborn to move, one guy will hold a mid sized ball pien hammer with the ball in the axle, and someone else smack it with a sledge. Same principal as said above, but your helper has something with a handle to hold onto while you use the sledge. That way their hands isn't in the way of a slinging sledge. Once you get it pushed in enough, then a drift can knock it on through. Whatever your hitting it with, make sure you don't mushroom the end of the axle as the nut will be a PITA to go back on, if it does at all.

[Moxie]

@jlevie: I replied to your post on Bimmerforums. Thanks, dude!

@campbellj25: Yeah, I don't have access to my air compressor down here. Otherwise, I'd have tried an air hammer. We actually discussed the ball peen hammer idea, but neither of us had one. The principle is kind of the same as smacking the hell out of the jaw puller though, I think. But all we accomplished is mushrooming the end of the jaw puller. lol

I have a new axle that's going in so I honestly don't care if I damage the old axle. Just FYI.

[TobyB]

I made a 'pusher' to do this, as the '90's axles were not going to come out
for love nor money.

It bridges the 4 lug bolts, and then has a bolt that pushes on the center of the axle.

I had to torque the piss out of the center bolt, then work around on the flange bolts
to get to pop loose at first. Hammering, heating, swearing, etc all helped, too.

On the 87, I tapped on it with a brass drift and they scooted right out.

huh.

t