I can't even get this inner race to budge on its splines using a Craftsman 2 jaw puller. I NEED a vise to hold and support the axle. That would be the berries all right. But as it is...the puller jaws get tight...then real tight...then the threaded center bolt slowly starts to slide off center till it isn't applying the pulling force in a perpindicular direction. It just wont stay on the thing straight once it starts to really get tight. So...its going to a shop this morning. I am tired of messing with this and really need to get this job done. Thank you all for your ideas and help. I really beliee if I had a bench vice....this would have been a different story. I might stop by Harbor Freight and see what a cheap 7" Bench Vice could be had for. I have no doubt, that just as it would have been very useful with this project, it will be useful again in the future . So ...money well spent.

 

With or without a vise, a three-jaw puller is the ticket. IMHO two-jaw pullers are only useful in tight places when you can't get a three jaw puller in, and even then it's not always a picnic. I guess you understand why...

BTW the vise you see above is a HF vise. Not the best vise I've ever used, but very handy. And cheap.

 

Double top secret method for use with pullers in this situation--

With the puller applying tension on the bearing/pressure on the axle, give the end of the puller bolt a good whack with a hammer. The impact of the impact is usually enough to break it free if it's going to come free. A good tap, a twist with the wrench, a good tap, twist with the wrench.... repeat as needed. When something is really that tight, it will come loose with a bang, so be ready for that first movement and the noise.

 

GOT IT...and with a 2 jawed puller and No vice. That bugger was "on-there" I mean, I had to use a 12" 1/2" drive breaker bar with a 5/8" socket, to turn the puller screw hard enough to break it loose and get the inner race off the splines. But...it finally came off. All better now.

 

Nice going! I hope you put it back together with some anti-seize... Also, good advice for the future from Bob... the "Tap & Twist" sometimes makes all the difference.

 

BTW...that was..."and IS"..an excellent suggestion Dr. Bob. I had tried it repeatedly during this process, and have been doing this "sharp rap on the end of the puller bolt with a dead blow hammer" trick for many years now, and for many different, but very similar situations..excellent advice for anyone using a puller, and having trouble getting the "splined part" to release from the splines. ..

 

I used a product only known to me as..."Gold Dust"...it is an anti-seize lubricant, that I "sparingly" applied to the splines prior to re-installing the inner race to the axle shaft. It "ought" to be a lot easier for the next poor soul to remove than my experience. BTW....I AM, still going to Harbor Freight, and buying and installing a 7" Bench Vice tomorrow. There are just TOO many jobs that require the leverage, support, and "virtual" extra set of hands...that a vice provides. i have concluded it as "essential"...Makes me miss my Dad that much more. I "used" to be able to run down the street, and use "his" vice, anytime I needed one. well I no longer have that option, but at least I know "now"...why he always had a bench vice on his workbench..

 

Yep, best tool in the garage.