Rear Axle Sanity Check

[javelinadave]

My right side, rear axle has a leak. I ordered new seals and gaskets this morning. It looks like a straight forward repair. Before I put wrenches onto nuts and bolts do I need to unclip the axle shaft from the diff or will it just pull out? I'm reading two different things online.
See photo below of my hub:

 

[Cactus Camper]

That’s the beauty of full float axles; just slide the axle shaft out. No c-clips like semi-float axles

 

[HZJ75 FARMER]

Definitely no c-clip, but you might have to fight a bit with the cone washers on the 6 studs of the axle flange.

The bearing nut arrangement is rather odd if you've never seen one before. Do you know what to expect in there?

 

[javelinadave]

Definitely no c-clip, but you might have to fight a bit with the cone washers on the 6 studs of the axle flange.

The bearing nut arrangement is rather odd if you've never seen one before. Do you know what to expect in there?

Yes, saw a video and have a repair manual. Thank you for your reply!

 

[javelinadave]

All right, the cone washers are kicking my ass. I will welcome any and all suggestions how to remove them. I tried hammering around the housing, slipping a flat blade under them and tried grabbing them with pliers. They are currently soaking in PB Blaster....... Help!

 

[LDowney]

Eager to see if someone has the secret. I certainly don't have the secret.

But in my method I use a brass bar and hammer. The brass bar I have is 8'ish inches long and nominally 3/4 inch in diameter. [Note: Loosen all the nuts on the cone washers but don't remove them.] I place the bar between two studs and give it a few hits with the hammer. Then move to the next space and repeat many times.

Eventually, the intermittent shocks transmitted into the flange will loosen the cone washers. I check the cone washers with my pliers regularly because they can break loose where you can spin them with the pliers before the are visually loose. Occasionally, the cone washers may pop completely off when they let go which is why I leave the nuts on so a cone washer doesn't get lost.

Good luck

 

[rick_d]

Brass rod on straight +hammer on end of studs with PB blaster. Once one moves the others are easier. I also use a small blade screw driver to put in slot and rotate around. Get all cones out before using two 8mm x 1.25 bolts to move axle shaft out.

 

[javelinadave]

Thanks @LDowney and @rick_d , the brass rod did the trick. Hopefully I'll have all the seals tomorrow to plug my leaking hub. That was definitely not a fun project getting those cone washers out. I'll put a but of anti seize on them when I put things back together.