ok i was just wondering if anyone knows a way other than the special service tool or a press to get the rear axle apart from the brake assembly. and also what is opinion on welding your rear? anyone have any pics of what theirs looked like after they welded it?

 

it depends on where you live as far as welding the rear.. its not too fun on rainy pavement but its workable. i wouldnt do it to my dd but im planning on doing it to my off road play toy
Here's a welded diff (not mine) that i like. I plan on doing this to mine

 

Are you talking about that ring on the axle shaft? I believe it is heated up and slipped over the axle and then it contracts as it cools down. I took an angle grinder and and cut across the side of it. Then I took a sledge and something like a chisel and pounded it in the groove I cut until it broke. If you think that's hard, wait until you try putting the new ring on I brought the ring in the hardware store with me and held it up to the ends of different size metal pipe. I found the size that matched the ring the closest and bought about a 4 foot piece of it and a cap. I had the end threaded for me there for free. Slipped the ring over the axle shaft facing straight up, greased it up real good, heated it a little too. Slipped the open end of the pipe over the axle and started banging on the capped end with a sledge until it slipped far enough down to put on the snap ring. I'm sure there are many other ways but that works for me

 

rain isnt as big of issue as snow is up here.. and wow im thinkin you need a damn good weld to get it to hold.. looks like more than an arc welder used to weld that together too...

 

oh i never even thought about cutting it off.. but all i need the axle apart for is to change the tire studs..

 

I don't know if you can get them out without actually removing all of that.

 

haha well i got them out.. putting new ones in is a diffrent story..

 

Were you able to turn them sideways or something and get them out once popped loose?

 

yeah there was a gap at the top of the brake assembly so i spun the axle around and pounded each one out with a hammer and it just fell out..

 

All you have to do is take the brake drum off. There are two holes in the drum. Put two bolts in (8mm?), and put pressure on the drum and hit the drum with a dead blow hammer. It is held in with cone washers and will come off. Watch your toes!

A factory service manual is a great help if you are going to work on these vehicles yourself.

 

yeah i got a factory service manual and got the break drum off and took all the brake stuff apart just to be safe.. now i am fabbin up a tool as it looks in the factory service manual so i can press apart the retaining ring off the axle shaft.. ahvnt herad of any good ways other than cutting the retaining ring..