Author Topic: Stumped on installing rear axle  (Read 299 times)

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Offline cazman

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Stumped on installing rear axle
« on: Saturday,May 21, 2022, 09:12:13 AM »
I am stumped. I needed to replace my rear bearing spacer, because I was tightening my axle nut too frequently. On inspection, it the spacer has a visible rib from crushing and it .010 too short. Everything else is good.

I installed new bearings and spacer into the carrier on the bench, but then I had no way to press the axle shaft through the carrier when it was all back together. Then it was figured that I should press the inner bearing on the axle shaft first. But, the inner bearing OD is too big to pass through the radius arm hole.

What am I doing wrong?
1973 Europa TCS

Offline europa88

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    • Europa88
Re: Stumped on installing rear axle
« Reply #1 on: Saturday,May 21, 2022, 11:38:19 AM »
Just done this
a) A bearing puller setup to work in reverse.
B) As per JB's suggestion, tap in in with a copper or hide hammer with a BIG hammer at the back to soak up the impact.
You cant do it by putting the bearings on the shaft first...Well at least I couldn't  ;D
If you no longer go for a gap that exists, you are no longer a racing driver.

Offline cazman

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Re: Stumped on installing rear axle
« Reply #2 on: Saturday,May 21, 2022, 12:22:00 PM »
So is the puller in reverse is the two hammers?

« Last Edit: Saturday,May 21, 2022, 05:45:02 PM by cazman »
1973 Europa TCS

Offline jbcollier

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Re: Stumped on installing rear axle
« Reply #3 on: Saturday,May 21, 2022, 08:17:31 PM »
The upright has to be out of the radius arm to install bearings and inner spacer.  Then back in the radius arm and you can fit the axle.

Offline cazman

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Re: Stumped on installing rear axle
« Reply #4 on: Sunday,May 22, 2022, 07:56:34 AM »
Yes that was my first attempt, bit I did not want to pound the shaft or housing against the bearings. Paul Freen remembered that he used some pipe the same diameter as the inner race and that if you hit the pipe/outboard inner race/spacer/inboard inner race the force will transmit through to the housing, not the bearings. That and putting the shaft in the freezer got it on.

Thanks all.
1973 Europa TCS