Axle stuck in hub

[E30 Wagen]

Car is a 91 318is.

The passenger side axle came out no problem, but the driver's side seems like it's welded in there. I got it started but after about 1/8" the damn thing will not budge no matter what. I've beat on it with a big sledge and almost damaged the tool that's supposed to push it out. I've heated it up and soaked it in PB plaster. I tried putting the nut back on to pull it back in to make sure the splines aren't bad, but now I can't even get the nut bottomed out to the hub. I don't know what the fuck i'm going to do and need some creative ideas.

[AndrewBird]

2/3 jaw puller should be able to push it out.

[E30 Wagen]

I've tried using this:

http://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tools...?checkfit=true

Is a 2/3 jaw puller going to be stronger? I think I got it to move like a millimeter but I'm afraid I'm stripping the threads on the bolt. I heated it up nice and hot, soaked it in PB blaster and then I'm going to leave it overnight with it under compression.

[bmwman91]

Were the splines on the axle shaft super nasty or banged up?

Before you risk damaging anything, maybe see about pulling the trailing arm and having a shop press the thing out. You could use the opportunity to put in new wheel bearings too.

[kronus]

you've probably mushroomed the splines in the hub

a friend got a similarly stuck axle out of the hub by repeatedly tightening up a 3 jaw puller on the stub and sledgehammering the shit out of it. it was not usable after, but it got it out.

[ahlem]

I believe we used a Harbor Freight 9" three jaw puller from the flange to push it out.
That plus heat and PB Blaster. We've got the mother of all torches if you've got the trailing arm off the car. If you start heating, plan on a new bearing.
Be sure you have the inside unbolted from the diff if the trailing arm is still in the car by the way.

[E30 Wagen]

I'm just going to pull the trailing arm and have a shop press it out and install a new bearing. I just hope the hub won't be damaged.

I hate this car so much.

[ahlem]

Let us know how it turns out and what caused it.

[E30 Wagen]

Took the trailing arm to a shop and they tried torching it and air-hammering it out but it didn't budge. I'm just going to get another set of trailing arms to use that have good hubs/bearings still in them, and take the opportunity to press in new bushings, and install M3 springs.

[ahlem]

After you get the new one are you going to try to figure out why the old one wouldn't come apart?

[E30 Wagen]

Maybe. It looks like somebody had previously worked on the rear suspension bushings and, judging by the sketchy handiwork I've discovered throughout the rest of the car, I'm just going to blame it on the previous owners. The passenger side wheel bearing was totally bad also, so I'm happy to just replace both arms with ones that are less rusty and have fresh bearings in them.