Rear axle hub removal

[Pimtool]

80 CJ5 with AMC20 rear axle.

What's the best way to get these things off?

I couldn't find a slide hammer with a big enough end on it to go over the lug nuts.
I tried to pull it off with a 5 ton 3 jaw puller, busted that.

Any suggestions?

 

[BusaDave9]

Those can be a bear. Did you spin the axle in the hub?
A slide hammer may not be enough to do the job.
I once spun the axle in the hub. There is a woodruff key in there. Once the hub spins that key gets mangled. Even when the hub isn't spun it's hard to take it off but that extra metal from the key mangled in there really makes it next to impossible. I could not find a puller big and strong enough to pull the hub off. What I did was put the axle nut back on but loosely. I put the cotter pin back on and then the wheel. I took the jeep down off the jack and started up the engine. I put it in reverse. I revved the engine a bit an popped the clutch. The jeep lurched backwards but not much. The axle spun in the hub. Then I jacked the jeep up again. The hub just about fell off when I removed the axle nut.
Sometimes the textbook approach just doesn't cut it.

 

[Pimtool]

There is nothing wrong with the axle. Just taking it apart to put a lock right in there. I was thinking about putting the wheels back on and running it up and down the driveway.but was a little scared of ruining something.

 

[BusaDave9]

There is nothing wrong with the axle. Just taking it apart to put a lock right in there.

Now that you have said that I guess I should have given my warning before putting up my last post.

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If the hub was not spun on the axle and more importantly, you intend to re-install the same hub and axle, don't do what I did.

You need to use a large puller. A slide hammer isn't strong enough. You need a big puller. I realize you used a 5 ton puller. I think you need penetrating oil and heat. Use a propane torch.
Also if you are going to install a Lock Right or any other traction aid to the differential you really should install one piece axles. Seriously, I say they are a must. Even with an open differential one piece axles are recommended. With a locker you are asking for trouble with OEM axles. They won't be able to handle it.

 

[Pimtool]

Thanks. The puller was a cheapy from autozone. Might be better off loooking for a bigger/better axle to swap in.

 

[gert]

Thanks. The puller was a cheapy from autozone. Might be better off loooking for a bigger/better axle to swap in.

I was in yours shoes once, just stick with the AMC20 it is a good axle once you overcome its weaknesses. buy a set of 1 piece axle shafts and your locker (same thing I did) and enjoy it. much easier and cheaper in the long run than an axle swap

 

[Pimtool]

The more I think about it, I think I will just go with the one piece axles and run 33s. Thanks

 

[IOPort51]

If your going to replace axles and bearings you can heat the hub to free it up with no worries.

 

[gert]

The more I think about it, I think I will just go with the one piece axles and run 33s. Thanks

I spun my left hub and then tried to replace the hub broke my breaker bar in the process so after that I got the 1 piece axle kit and Detroit EZ locker with 34x9.50 Super Swamper bias plys……worked awesome in the mud not so great on the street I think you will be very happy with the combo you are thinking about

 

[PaRenegade]

I'm confused. If your putting in a Lockrite why do you even need to remove the axle? It's been many years since I installed one but if I remember correctly your just removing the guts (spider gears) from your open diff. and replacing them with more loose parts that go in piece by piece, so you have room with the axles in place.
However, if I'm not recalling correctly and you DO need to push the axles out of the way some, you still don't need to separate the hub from the axle. You just need to remove the 4 axle flange bolts and pull the whole hub/axle/seal/bearing out 2".
What am I forgetting here guys? I switched to Mosers long ago so it's been a while since I had to remove one.

 

[IOPort51]

unless you are running a very low ratio you will have to remove the carrier and the ring gear to install the drop in locker.

 

[Pimtool]

They sure dont want to come off. I think I might try to take off the flange bolts and slide the whole thing out.

 

[IOPort51]

amc 20 rear end - YouTube


tell me again why you are pulling the hub off?

 

[PaRenegade]

unless you are running a very low ratio you will have to remove the carrier and the ring gear to install the drop in locker.

When I put the LocRight in my 20 with the high carrier (2.73) I don't recall pulling the carrier. You just punch out the crossbar and remove the top and bot. spyders, then the side two. Then install the locright parts. I'll dbl. check my instructions if they're still in the box. That's why they call them lunchbox lockers. Stick it in your lunch pail and install it over your lunch break.

Pimtool - If your going to pull the axle assembly out, careful of the inner seal that sits inside the axle tube about 2". Don't want to damage it. When you reassemble it clean the flanges and put some rtv sealer around it.

 

[Pimtool]

Well, I kinda thought it would be easy to pull it off and remove the axles and install the locker, put it back together in a few hours. Wrong!

Thanks parenegade I'll do that.

 

[gert]

Well, I kinda thought it would be easy to pull it off and remove the axles and install the locker, put it back together in a few hours. Wrong!

Thanks parenegade I'll do that.

Lol the thing I like and dont like about axles is it takes a BFH to get things to come loose

 

[Al Lindner]

Pull the WHOLE thing take it to a shop and have them press it off. Relatively inexpensive and they can press your new bearings on to your new axles. I know that its more fun to do it yourself BUT it f you do it the way I described you will save yourself a lot of time and probably a little flesh and blood. Good luck with your project

 

[IOPort51]

When I put the LocRight in my 20 with the high carrier (2.73) I don't recall pulling the carrier. You just punch out the crossbar and remove the top and bot. spyders, then the side two. Then install the locright parts. I'll dbl. check my instructions if they're still in the box. That's why they call them lunchbox lockers. Stick it in your lunch pail and install it over your lunch break.

Pimtool - If your going to pull the axle assembly out, careful of the inner seal that sits inside the axle tube about 2". Don't want to damage it. When you reassemble it clean the flanges and put some rtv sealer around it.

This is probably true.the only axle I have put a drop -in in was a d30and the carrier had to come out .

 

[Pimtool]

Once I pulled the brakes off and removed the flange bolts the axles pulled out with little effort. Got the locker installed, now just have to put it back together and she how she digs.

Thanks for the info.

 

[gert]

Once I pulled the brakes off and removed the flange bolts the axles pulled out with little effort. Got the locker installed, now just have to put it back together and she how she digs.

Thanks for the info.

I had the lunch box in mine years ago and can say for sure she will dig as hard as your tires and driveshafts/ u joints will allow