Make a plate out of minimum 3/16" thick steel. You can buy a door or gate corner reinforcing piece of steel strap and cut it to the right length. Anyway, it has to fit through the bearing ID when turned at an angle, then when straightened up perpendicular to the bearing it will "grab" it. Drill a hole in the center of the plate so it can be fitted on a slide hammer. Elongate the hole so it can be turned at an angle to fit through the bearing. Then put it on the slide hammer, insert the plate to the back side of the bearing and hammer away. That worked for me. The other method requires removal of the carrier, other axle, etc. Get a length of steel pipe longer than the rear end housing and insert it through to the other side. Use a BFH and hammer it out from the other side.

 

Thanks, Von - I'll try the slide hammer route. I have both axles out, but I really don't want to pull the carrier.

 

I recommend a basic three jaw slide hammer myself. Cost me about $100 for a complete slide hammer set but about 6 whacks per side removed both axle saver bearings on my '68 12 bolt.

Worst part: the cost. Best part: no fabrication and works fast/great.

 

Well, I bought a slide hammer, but the problem is, there is nowhere to get hold of the sleeve that fits inside the axle tube. I took out the seal and the bearing, but the sleeve buts right up to a ridge in the axle tube and there is no lip on the sleeve where I can put the claws of the slide hammer. The only thing I can think of to get it out is to VERY carefully put some cuts into the sleeve without damaging the axle housing, like this:

Not exactly sure how to do that though. Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

What kind of claws are on your hammer? I used a three jaw set that included a "cam" to lock them into place. It should not take very much of a lip to latch onto.

If you absolutely cannot find any kind of lip at the back, can you lock onto the bearing circlip? My bearings had a clip around the outer race on the inside of the rollers that might give you something to grab.

 

do you have access to an arc welder?
run a bead around the inside of the race. when it cools it will shrink and fall out.
david

 

There is absolutely no lip and I tried it on the circlips, but couldn't get enough of a whack before the jaws slipped off.


Wish I had a welder - that sounds like a pretty neat trick.