broken axle

[Tom Sahines <tsahines@domain.elided>]

>Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 07:41:34 -0800
>To: davidef@domain.elided
>From: Tom Sahines <tsahines@domain.elided>
>Subject: broken axle
>
>To remove the axle from the tube you must use a slide hammer. 8-10 lbs
will work. Here in the states they are sold at tool houses pretty cheap so
it is not an expensive tool to buy. One may also be able to rent this tool.
The tool hooks up to the wheel studs and then you bang out the axle. The
axle is held into the tube with four nuts on the rear of the brake backing
plate. Once these nuts are removed then the friction between the axle
bearing and the axle tube must be overcome with the slide hammer.
>
>If your axle is broken you will have to remove the axle tube from the
center section to get the rest out. On the drivers side there is a large
circle of 8 mm nuts (13mm wrench). Remove these and separate the axle tube
from the center section. (probably best to take the axle out of the car to
do this job). It is mated to the center section using gasket material and
no gasket. Now you can remove the broken axle. Clean up the surfaces and
put back the axle tube. Be sure not to use another axle tube as the drivers
side has shims which set up the gear clearance (shims behind the bearing).
The passenger side axle tube can be switched. Use a good gasket material. I
use locktite ultra grey. Hylomar or permatex is fine as well. You can pull
out the gear set when it is open and wipe out any debris that is in the
center section case. If you remove the lower pan you can clean that with
solvent. Dont get to crazy cleaning as it is difficult to get into the
pinion shaft area and you dont want to push any debris into that area.
Putting back the gear set is simple just put it in no alignment is required.
>
>Once together the new axle can be installed by pushing it in and putting
back the four nuts behind the backing plate. 
>
>While you are here check the trunion bushings and replace if broken or
cracked.
>
>A special tool is required to remove the axle bearing from the axle. If
you need to do this it may be best to find an Alfa shop to help you. Normal
machine shops usually have a hard time doing this if they do not have the
Alfa tool. If the bearing is changed one should also order the bearing
retainer press ring and a new axle seal. Best to change all the parts while
you are in there.
>
>
>

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