Axle Seperation Anxiety.

[Bradass80]

I have a spare set of OEM birfs and axles that i'm trying to get seperated, i tried the 1.5" tube method for 30 minutes and had no luck, it was definitly not for lack of force that this didn't work because the concrete was cracking underneathe the pipe, do you guys have any other methods that worked for you? TIA, Brad.

 

[erics_bruisers]

a carefully-positioned drift and a 3-lb hammer -- and a vice --

 

[GXO]

Stand with axle in hand, birf hanging off...

Use a brass hammer, hit the race and watch the birf fall.

 

[landtank]

I tried the pipe method with no luck. However afterwards I think I was doing it wrong. I was placing the pipe against the birfs inner race and then hitting the ground with it. I'd try this again but instead place the pipe on the ground and then lift the birf/axle up and then let it drop down in the pipe. I think this would give better results.


The book suggests clamping the axle in a vice and then driving the birf off with a brass drift and hammer. This worked quite well on one of our birf with just 4 wacks. However the other one we had to get mideaval on it's ass and just beat the hell out of it with the sludge. Sparks were flying and 20 or so hits later it gave up. Of course nothing was salvageable.

 

[cruiserman]

I never got the pipe method to work. 2 whacks of the hammer with axle in a vice was all it took.

 

[Junk]

Make sure you're using brass, bronze, lead or some softer metal for the contact point. Also, don't be like Klunkster - meaning, make sure you your feet are not under the birfield (put a moving blanket down or something to cushion it when it comes out). Should only take 2 whacks but your strength it may take about 5

 

[Photoman]

I place the pipe on a piece of hardwood like Oak; then lift and bang the birf/axle down. Without something under the axle if it does come out the splines could get dinged. I did notice once that the axle had actually moved down in the birf and was wedged. Repeatedly banging it down did nothing. I ended up just straightening it with my hands and the axle fell out. Good grief.

Bill

 

[ppc]

I've use the pipe method with PVC pipe and it worked holding one hand on the stub axle and the other on the pipe and giving it a good hard slam from 12" up.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I've never seen the pipe method fail. You slide the axle in, resting the inner cage of the birf on the pipe. Then stuff a rag in the other end to keep the freed axle from hitting the ground and slam on concrete from 12 inches or so. 80 axles pop apart much easier than 40 and 60 series ones. The snap ring usually remains intact on 80 series birfs, but always seems to shear on 40 and 60 series axles. THe long side pops with one hit, the short side can take several attempts. It's very gratifying the first time one comes apart!

 

[Bradass80]

Thanks for the replies, I'll try these other methods tonight, another tip that should be passed down is to try and get most of the grease out of the birf before using the pipe method or you get a lovely moly grease shower, Brad.

 

[alia176]

sorry for the dumb question here....when the two finally separate, and you sacrifice the circlip (i'm assuming). How do you install the new clip?

 

[mabrodis]

Ali, no you are not sacrificing the c-clip, it's a spring clip that pushes out, so you compress it slide the axle into the birf, and when it gets to it's little groove in there it come back out a bit. It's designed to giveup if you pull it hard enough. You probably are sposeto replace that clip though, I didn't. However, I almost did sacrifice mine since I got it all lined up and tapped the axle with a hammer, well the c-clip was still out a bit on one side, so my tapping (ok hitting) was trying to shear it off, it bent nicely had a sharp edge which I cleverly sliced my finger on...straightened the c-clip for round two and then it worked...not overly hard, and easier if you don't mix blood and grease...

Mark Brodis

 

[mabrodis]

Brad, what I did to seperate mine, which is really nothing new, I opened a vise about 2", just enough so the inner axle could go through it but the birf couldn't. I then dropped the birf onto the vise, from a few inches at first, kinda hitting it with my hand, only took one or two medium drops/slams and the axle popped out and fell to the floor. If your's is being alot more difficult then maybe try to pound the axle a bit firther in, maybe the c-clip is dislodged and it's just trying to shear it.

Good Luck...
Mark Brodis

 

[sea2skydad]

sorry for the dumb question here....when the two finally separate, and you sacrifice the circlip (i'm assuming). How do you install the new clip?

Having an extra set of hands really helps. One guy holds the axle and birf, the other compresses the clip with pliers, screwdrivers, whatever works. Line it all up like your breeding livestock, and pop, in it goes! Or not. Then you try again. The second one went much faster than the first.

 

[Bradass80]

This must be one hard c-clip, the piece of dom i've been using has crumpled like a pop can from my pounding, something has got to be jammed up in there, i tried putting a piece of 2x4 under the pipe and that didn't work, i'm going to take it to a shop today and but it in a vice and pound at it with a lead hammer, the birf hasn't shown wear from the abuse but i'm begining to think something is wrong with it, or maybe it's just my princess like physique like Junk suggested, Frustrated Brad.