Traveler Update/Stuck Axel Shaft

[David Nuenke <dnuenke@domain.elided>]

I had another interesting evening working on the traveler last night.
After bringing out the heavy iron (sledge hammer) the drums came off
fairily easily. Only a fair amount of banging on each, didn't even warp
or crack them. Next, tore down the rest of the brakes, rust everywhere!
I am very glad that we got all new hardware to install. We next pulled
out one axel shaft to get the backing plate off so we can clean it up a
bit. Axel shaft just pulled right off. So I moved onto the other side,
pull the bolts, get ready to pull the axel and nothing. I tub, two of my
frineds tug, we try using a pry bar to help out a little and nothing.
The shaft turns the diff fine, but just won't come out. I need to get it
out to clean up the backing plate and to do the bearings (truck hasn't
moved in 17 years so I thought the bearings needed to be done. Also
broke a bolt in the diff housing (ouch) so I have to worry about getting
that out as well. On another unrelated note we (me my friend, and the
owner of the truck) have basically come to the conclusion that the
engine needs to be rebuilt. So I guess I get to learn how to do this as
well.

David Nuenke
76 Scout II
Spirit Edition