I've got a stock reverse cut Dana 44 from a 78 Ford Bronco. Any tips are properly removing the spindles? I can't get them to loosen up at all. Been spraying lubricant on them for days in an attempt to loosen them. No luck. I'm getting extremely frustrated and am getting ready to take a 30lb sledge hammer to them!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhh.

Take a 3# hammer and a flat chisel (or better yet, an air chisel) and set the chisel in the crack where the spindle meets the knuckle. DO NOT hammer directly on the spindle itself. Yeah, people do it, but more often than not, you wind up missing or breaking your block of wood or whatever and ruining the spindle.

You can also get an adapter for a slide hammer that screws onto the end of the spindle. I think Mac, Snap-On and Lisle all make them. It should run you $30-50.

I disagree with the chisel idea! that just leaves marks, dents and fucks up the spindle

get a 4x4 block of wood long enough to hold it safely away from where you're gonna hit it and get out your BFH and wail on that fawker.

BFH and get mad at it

Also, did you ever see these spindle removers?
My friend sells them, easy to make your self, but buy it from him anyway
http://community-2.webtv.net/completeoffroad/DIFFERENTIALTOOLS/

Originally posted by Danger Ranger
I disagree with the chisel idea! that just leaves marks, dents and fucks up the spindle

I don't think you understand where I'm talking about putting the chisel... many spindles will have notches cut in the back for exactly this purpose. There isn't anything for you to mark, dent, or destroy, other than occasionally tearing into the dust shield.

block-o-wood + BFH has always worked for me so far.

Originally posted by sclemons


I don't think you understand where I'm talking about putting the chisel... many spindles will have notches cut in the back for exactly this purpose. There isn't anything for you to mark, dent, or destroy, other than occasionally tearing into the dust shield.

hey man to each his own. I'm just stating my opinion and expierence about this. The one time I listed to someone when I was puke who knew nothing about this, I fucked up a spindle cause I tried a chisel. Guess what it never got the spindle off and someone else told me the block of wood idea and guess what worked...

<shrug>

No big deal... I'm just wondering how you butchered the spindle. I have had the exact opposite experience -- listened to somebody who said to put a block of wood on it and wail away. I wound up deforming the spindle, buggered the threads, etc. Somebody else showed me the chisel trick, and I haven't had a problem since.

I'll still tap the spindle side to side once its loose to get it the rest of the way off of the studs, but I won't hit it from the side to break it free.

Last time I used a block of wood, it went :nuke:

Then I broke out the brass drift. Held it sideways on the spindle and hit the drift on the side with a BFH. Spindle instantly started working loose. No damage to the spindle. It works really well.

Then once everything is apart, clean the knuckle and spindle. In the future, everything should come apart pretty easy.

I use a soft face 3# deadblow hammer directly on the spindle and work the spindle side to side and top to bottom. Works every time! :D As posted above, clean it well and even use some Scotch Brite on it and put a little never sieze on it when you put it back together. :flipoff2:

Originally posted by sclemons
<shrug>

No big deal... I'm just wondering how you butchered the spindle. I have had the exact opposite experience -- listened to somebody who said to put a block of wood on it and wail away. I wound up deforming the spindle, buggered the threads, etc. Somebody else showed me the chisel trick, and I haven't had a problem since.

I'll still tap the spindle side to side once its loose to get it the rest of the way off of the studs, but I won't hit it from the side to break it free.

I've tried the block of wood thing as well as a chisel (on the edge where the caliper fits, and you can really get between the knuckle and the spindle). The only thing I can say is grab the torch, PB Blaster, and a beer, because it can be a real bitch, getting that thing off. You might try knocking the studs out too, just to help free it up. Driving the chisel between, is what finally got it loose for me. Enjoy...

-matt

If you cant get it loose with a hammer and block of wood your a SISSY.

Originally posted by welndmn
BFH and get mad at it

Also, did you ever see these spindle removers?
My friend sells them, easy to make your self, but buy it from him anyway
http://community-2.webtv.net/completeoffroad/DIFFERENTIALTOOLS/

Yup..... I got one from Mike K, and it came in handy a couple weeks ago when my club went 'wheeling.