The Sprite Forum

Taking apart the rear end today. Right axle came right out. The left axle is stuck. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Did you remove the screws that hold the axle up to the hub?

Jerome,
Make sure the screw is out and you may have to persuade the axle a little. I like to hit mine with a heavy rubber or dead blow hammer to break it loose...once you notice a small gap or movement it should slide out easily.
Rut

Ummm, yes. It moves out about a 1/4" off the hub and no further.

Time for a couple of thin pry bars 180 degrees from each other...just work your way around the axle flange.
Rut

Good suggestion, but I have tried that as well.

Perhaps some more information will help..
There is clearly something wrong in there as: one, the left axle is stuck
two, one of the reasons for taking things apart is that the input flange will turn without the wheels turning .... with the car on it's wheels, I could turn the driveshaft without the car moving forward. I figured something was broken. Perhaps and axle ???
Is it possible that the small pinion gear is somehow stuck/fused to the axle? Is there a way to get in there without cutting the back out if the differential housing?? Could I possibly use a long drift to attempt to drive out the axle from the other side??

It appears you have a broken axle.
Yes you can use a long rod to drive the axle out but the shaft for the spider gears is in the way so it would have to be small, then maybe it will not be strong enough.

Any ideas on what size drift to use? Not sure how clearance I have.??????? Thanks

Jerome,
Yep, sounds like a broken axle with a little twist holding in what's left. Looks like more force is needed...like 2 crowbars! If you decide to drift it out it will take a flat bar about 1/8" thick and maybe 3/8" to 1/2" wide to get thru to the other side.
Rut

And don't be afraid of using a BIG hammer. You can't fix it if you can't get it apart.

Jerome

It does sound like you are in a spot of bother, you may also have a badly worn spline on the end of your axle that is jammed in the spider.
Another option may be the partly reassemble so you can bolt an old rim back on the axle then see if you can persuade it out by hitting the old rim with a sledge hammer. It does sound brutal but it may help

aa

I wouldn't use pry bars between the axle and hub. The axle may be trash, but the hub being cast iron will be made into a part you'll need to replace as well. I would try a slide hammer first.

---

Gerard

http://gerardsgarage.com/

Gerard has an excellent idea...I was concerned with the axle flange being sacraficial and forgot about the hub! I don't own one, but a slide hammer has many uses on an LBC.
Rut

Time to take the cover off of the pumpkin and see what is in there. If indeed the axle is broken you'll neen to be able to inspect and clean out the shards and metal splinters. Open it up and take a look around in there.

---

Jim Gruber - Apollo Beach, FL
Bugsy IV - '60 Bugeye - 1,275+.040 and a 5-Speed - CA Car - 2nd Owner from new - Driving It Like I Stole It!
A truly rust free, garaged in Los Angeles for 57 years Bugeye
Mr. MAX - '04 Miata MAZDASPEED w Factory Turbo - Zoom Zoom Fun and Fast!

Good idea, except there is no cover on a Spridget pumpkin. You have to pull the diff from the housing to see anything.

Jerome has broken axle and it's going to take a slide hammer to get it out without damaging the hub.