Re: Rear axle help (54-56)
Posted by ScottG On 2024/3/30 20:46:05
I'm not sure that Autozone will have what you need. You want to find something heavy duty to remove those drums from the tapered axle shafts without damage. I used an old Blue Point puller like this:
Even with the right tool it's a bear. You'll have to beat it like it owes you money. If you run into trouble (or just get tired of pounding), keep the axle nut loosely engaged on the axle threads and leave the puller under tension overnight. It will eventually let go usually with a (literal) bang.
As for the centering block in the differential: if you do the job right and service only one side at a time, you'll not need to learn anything about it. If you pull both axles simultaneously it can rotate out of position and you'll learn more about it than you probably want to know.
Lastly, just for future forum users, you might consider editing your thread title. The 1954-55 axles are similar in their use of tapered axles and shims. The 1956 axles are of a more contemporary design that share nothing in common with the older units and they do not require the service you are about to perform.
-SG
Even with the right tool it's a bear. You'll have to beat it like it owes you money. If you run into trouble (or just get tired of pounding), keep the axle nut loosely engaged on the axle threads and leave the puller under tension overnight. It will eventually let go usually with a (literal) bang.
As for the centering block in the differential: if you do the job right and service only one side at a time, you'll not need to learn anything about it. If you pull both axles simultaneously it can rotate out of position and you'll learn more about it than you probably want to know.
Lastly, just for future forum users, you might consider editing your thread title. The 1954-55 axles are similar in their use of tapered axles and shims. The 1956 axles are of a more contemporary design that share nothing in common with the older units and they do not require the service you are about to perform.
-SG
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