guide to axle removal

[stevepeanut]

can someone type me a quick run through on how to remove an axle (from a capri)

[escort new boy]

drop the rear leaf bolts out (the back two) and gently lower it down and undo, thats how id do it

 

Cheers

[Fishtailparka]

First buy a new set of u bolts, because at least one will snap when you try to undo them.

Personally I would leave the rear shackles alone for the same reason.

Then starting from a week before you intend to do it, spray WD40 on the bolts you are going to try to undo. Do this at least once a day, more is better. (not that it is likely to help, they still snap).

First thing to do is undo the propshaft, make sure it stays in the gearbox. If you don't you will have a pool of cat piss stinking oil everywhere as well as a pile of snapped bolts.

Then undo (read snap) the u bolts off. To get the axle out I would try and get it through the springs/arch gap rather than undo the rear shackles. If it won't fit (memory is a bit hazy at this point) you will have to undo (snap) the rear shackles.

 

There are 8 nuts to take off the u bolts. I have found that it is very often the eighth one you undo that snaps. No matter which order they are done in. I just get a big ratchet on them and assume they are going to snap. If they do, so what, if they don't it means you have to struggle to undo the feckin thing all the way along the thread. This is usually the most rusted, tightest b*stard of them all.

 

Have fun.

[TwoLitrePinto]

Yes, snap the ubolts off on purpose, its just easier. dont try to salvage them as theyre not supposed to be re used anyway. i think it cost me £12 for a set from burtons. Propshaft off (beware of oil but i think it has a centre bearing to stop it coming back anyway), undo the anti roll bar going to either side of the chassis, brake line on driver side, take the pin out of the handbrake linkage both sides and slot the whole rod out, both shocks unbolted,

 

bit of wiggling and swearing and you should have an axle landing on your face

 

Oh yeah, you can pull it to one side, drop one drum past the leaf spring and jthen push it back in the other way, lift the drum, over the leaf and it will be on the floor. dont touch the rear shackes, no need and will cause u more grief.

[stevepeanut]

cheers for the tips. I did it tonight, took me 2 hours, which isnt took bad considering I didnt know what I was doing. I must have been lucky, all 8 U bolts, came off without snapping. But they were bloody tight. Just managed to get the axle out sideways under the arch. Came in for food and a now. Back out tomorrow night, to put my new axle in.

[TwoLitrePinto]

i wouldnt use the old u-bolts anyway i think they're stretch bolts and arent meant to be re-used.

 

When you put the axle back, tighten the ubolts up, and dont forget to tighten them again once you have lowered the car onto its wheels and the suspension has settled or you will find yourself with a loose axle.

[Fishtailparka]

I would go and buy a lottery ticket if I were you

[TwoLitrePinto]

theyre only about £12 lol