98 S70 Problems removing axle from hub

kevins s70 · Post by **kevins s70** » 04 May 2014, 19:21

I am in the process of replacing a steering rack, struts, and axles. i am however having real issues getting the front passenger side axle out of a hub. The boots were shot on the axle for quite a while and i have a new axle as part of the project. At this point i have removed the axle from the car with the hub still attached. The axle absolutely refuses to budge from the hub. So far i have tried lots of pentetrating oil and a 10 pounder - nothing. Also tried a jaw gear puller and no luck. Any suggestions?? I think the axle has been in there for maybe 8 years.

Post by **xHeart** » 04 May 2014, 19:33

Autozone offers this tool on loan http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/OEM-2-Ton-2-or-3-jaw-puller/_/N-264g?itemIdentifier=2044_0_0_

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 04 May 2014, 19:42

I've never had a problem getting the axle out of the hub. I think I would be inclined to put the nut back on the axle and smacking it laterally to see if it pops free. You can't really use a torch without screwing the hub itself up.

...Lee

Post by **cn90** » 05 May 2014, 07:43

The splines may have metal adhesive from factory.

Spray WD-40, PB Blaster etc.
You may want to use just a touch of heat (propane torch) to melt the metal adhesive from factory. The problem is: don't use too much heat because the wheel bearing is nearby. You don't want to damage the bearing.

Post by **xHeart** » 05 May 2014, 08:18

cn90 wrote: ...
The problem is: don't use too much heat because the wheel bearing is nearby. You don't want to damage the bearing.

OP is a first timer, as I was once
It will likely damage bearing by proximity.

Post by **cn90** » 05 May 2014, 09:00

Some people put the axle nut back on, flushed with the end of the axle, then whack with a hammer.
Since the hub has been removed from the car, you will have to find a way to secure it before whacking it the nut.

Post by **rmmagow** » 05 May 2014, 09:36

And use a proper hammer, 3~5 lb short handled sledge hammer, not a carpenter's hammer. I don't know if they still make lead sledges, but those work great, the kind you'd use on an english car with a single center wheel nut.

Post by **regent** » 05 May 2014, 10:01

I say no heat but use that Autozone puller pictured in the earlier post, tension it as much as possible, and then you can use a relatively small hammer (like 1 pound) to break the spline loose.

kevins s70 · Post by **kevins s70** » 05 May 2014, 15:22

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. After another struggle and soaking it all day in pentetrating oil it is apart! The axle i am quite sure is original and if Volvo did use an adhesive of some sort it was overkill. The way i finally got it off is as follows. I used a jaw gear puller but that in itself was not enough. Using the jaw puller i would only get maybe a quarter turn and it would stop dead. I then used a 3lb hammer
and hit the jaw puller bolt a couple of times which seemed to loosen up the axle. Did my next quarter turn hit the jaw puller bolt again. I had to do this until the axle was almost out. Also really important is that the jaw puller bolt be well greased - can't emphasis that more. I am thinking to use a light coating of antiseize on the axle spline when i put it back together. Any thoughts on that? Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Post by **erikv11** » 06 May 2014, 01:31

Anti-seize on the splines at the hub when installing the axle: absolutely!

If you can, be sure to save your original Volvo axles. They can be rebuilt, the aftermarket ones can not and frequently fail quickly.