Rear axle seal problem - PLEASE help

Hi guys,

I tried to replace one of my rear axle seals yesterday and it turned into quite the problem. I removed all required items, such as the brake line, drum, shoes, and hand brake cable. Finally I removed the 4 bolts on the back side of the drum assembly. But I could not for the life of me remove the axle along with the drum assembly. I gave it a number of good solid hits on the back but it would not give a bit. I stopped and called it a day before I hit it hard enough to break something. From my understanding the axle should slide out easily at that stage and its not locked in the diff. Am I missing something?

 

This is on a 2008 Tacoma BTW

 

I hit it all around the backside of the plate. And like I said it didn't even budge a hair. I would have at least expected it to break the bond of the metals and if it was hung up on something inside then it would have at least had some play, but no.

 

Yes I removed the brake cable and the sensor, but I don't see why those things would hold the axle from coming out if I didn't.

 

Jasmine, thanks for the great pics. I'm thinking maybe it's some stubborn corrosion and I need to man up and hit it harder.

 

you can also try threading the 4 nuts back on just enough to protect the threads and tap the the studs/nuts with a BFH.

 

Try using the tire as a slide hammer: place the tire on the studs and tread the lugnuts on a couple of turns. Push the tire toward the drum then pull it outward sharply. it will only move an inch or so but you'll have the entire weight of the tire/wheel assembly working for you. A couple of shots should do it.

 

Post some pictures of what you're dealing with.

 

MPW, Ya I also tried connecting a big chain to the lugs and whipped the chain making for a hard snap, but nothing. I will try again when I can and post pics if I have no luck.

 

Take a sharp wood chisel or gasket scraper, and tap it into the
mating gap between the axle and backing plate, alternating from
side to side. Also, a good size dead blow hammer would help.

 

Before wedging anything between drum and axle flange or beating the studs out of the retainer and bending the backing plate try bolting the tire & wheel back onto the hub and using a sledge hit the TIRE nothing gets bent and the vibrations will usually get it loose... dont forget to use your jack stands