3700 International Axle puller

[jpitz31]

Hey everyone, I need to pull my axles on mu bus I am changing my gear ratio.

I saw a really nice axle puller you hit with a sledge hammer. But rather expensive.

Anyone have a good solution to pull the axles without buying a puller. I did some searching for rentals, but only could find automotive style pullers..

Thanks

Joe

 

[Booyah45828]

Have you tried pulling them or just preparing yourself to do so? I've never had an issue, so long as they weren't rusted together. And even then, a whack or three with a sledge hammer broke them free.

If you're following oem procedures out of a service manual, you'll often find a variety of listed specialty tools that are "needed" that you can get by without. There's a big difference between OEM procedures from an engineer, dealer level procedures, independent shop procedures, and side of the road/shade tree procedures.

 

[jpitz31]

Thanks @Booyah45828 , I am just preparing to do the job, Watching Youtube videos to see what I need and how to stuff.

Thanks for the quick response.

Joe

 

[Booyah45828]

Yeah, no need for a puller. Pull the bolts/nuts and whack it with a hammer. Biggest secret is having a half milk jug or something placed underneath to catch the oil when the axle is removed and while it's out.

Also buy gaskets ahead of time. You can use silicone, and I have used silicone, but you should let silicone cure 24hrs before refilling with lube. The gaskets are much quicker and can go back in service right away.

Also, be sure the oil level is full before driving, and then check and top it up after 50 or so miles. Some will have a plug on the hub or one of the bolt holes won't be blind and will have been drilled through for access to the bearings to refill with lube in case they were new or dry. Probably won't have to worry about it if you're just pulling the axles and not touching the bearings, They'll have enough lube left on them that they won't be dry.

 

[cadillackid]

on my old superior, I just took the nuts off and gave a couple whacks at the center wit ha 5 lib hammer and it gave me enough of a gap I tapped a screwdriver in gently a couple places and the axle pulled right out.. I had already drained the oil out of the rear chunk so only a small amount came off the hub.. I had the bottom 2 inches of an antifreeze gallon jug id cut apart sittinf in the rim and it caught 99% of the oil..



puttimg the axles back in i had to kind of tap diagonally with a screwdriver in one of the holes to get the rotation orientation right since the new rear splines werent lined up perfectly.. was easy..



I didnt have thew right gaskets, the supposed ones i got were the wrong ones so I made a set out of clothing-style box.. not coccregated cardboard but its that thinner typically white on one side gray on the other cardboard.. I took a double layer of that and some RTV and have never had a leak ... of course id forgotten that i actually have real blank gasket sheets in my tool drawers.. but alas since it doesnt leak im not changin it.. that was like 4 or 5 years ago now..

 

[Booyah45828]

Hold on a second. Make sure you have the wheels chocked before pulling.

Not so big of a deal with air brakes, but if this has juice brakes with a driveline park drum, pulling the axles will make your bus a runaway unless you've got the wheels chocked.

So chock the wheels to be safe.

 

[cadillackid]

Hold on a second. Make sure you have the wheels chocked before pulling.

Not so big of a deal with air brakes, but if this has juice brakes with a driveline park drum, pulling the axles will make your bus a runaway unless you've got the wheels chocked.

So chock the wheels to be safe.

chock the wheels and take the park brake OFF if it has hydraulic brakes.. this way no tension on the axle shafts..


air brakes leave the park brake on.. still doesnt hurt to chock the wheels for redudancy

 

[jpitz31]

Thanks Everyone for the good feedback

Joe