Author Topic: Rear axle sleeve (saver) removal methods?  (Read 2290 times)

Offline ecarter423

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 3
  • Newbie
Rear axle sleeve (saver) removal methods?
« on: January 23, 2021, 05:35:29 PM »
Trying to install new axle shafts, bearings, and seals. Ran into this beaut. while on one side of the rear. Any idea how to get this sleeve out? Not having luck with a cheap slide hammer method. Would a small Dremel cut that sleeve?

Thanks in advance, this is my first square.

Offline JohnnyPopper

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2526
  • Old Goof
Re: Rear axle sleeve (saver) removal methods?
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2021, 05:50:13 PM »
Never seen one used. What is it saving?

So I guess your new bearing won't slide in?

Try the Dremel, see if it scores the sleeve first. I would cut a slot but not down to the actual axle housing. When deep enough, use a narrow flat head (preferably real old and somewhat rounded) to whack and break it.

You will be creating a lot of nasty debris, so stuff a rag real tight into the axle tube just past the bearing race. Brake cleaner wash out, then pull out your tight little rag.
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline ecarter423

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 3
  • Newbie
Re: Rear axle sleeve (saver) removal methods?
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2021, 06:11:07 PM »
I believe it was used to move where the bearing and seal wore on the axle. Since i have new axle shafts, this isn’t needed. My stock bearings and seals won’t fit with this in there, nor will my shaft go all the way in for the c clip.

Offline MIKE S

  • Registered Users
  • *
  • Posts: 224
  • Member
Re: Rear axle sleeve (saver) removal methods?
« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2021, 08:51:27 AM »
If you have a welder you can weld a bead on the inside surface of the bearing saver about half way around and let it cool.  It will shrink after cooling and should come out fairly easy.
« Last Edit: January 24, 2021, 09:04:28 AM by MIKE S »

Offline JohnnyPopper

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2526
  • Old Goof
Re: Rear axle sleeve (saver) removal methods?
« Reply #4 on: January 24, 2021, 11:08:15 AM »
Very Clever Mike, I will file that one away!
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline ecarter423

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 3
  • Newbie
Re: Rear axle sleeve (saver) removal methods?
« Reply #5 on: January 24, 2021, 01:40:19 PM »
Took about an hour of slamming with a homemade tee but she came out in all her glory. Didn’t have to cut or weld but it was probably in there way too long. Thank you guys for the responses and help!

Offline MIKE S

  • Registered Users
  • *
  • Posts: 224
  • Member
Re: Rear axle sleeve (saver) removal methods?
« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2021, 05:43:10 PM »
That trick was taught to me by an old school machinist who was my uncle I worked for 25 years. Another trick that might help someone on this forum that he showed me that I have used many times is removing screws that are about to strip the head out is to get some valve grinding compound and put some on the end of the screwdriver before it’s completely stripped. It will bite into that screw and you will be able to remove it. Permatex sells it in a squeeze tube. 

Offline carmen77

  • Registered Users
  • *
  • Posts: 163
  • Newbie
Re: Rear axle sleeve (saver) removal methods?
« Reply #7 on: February 03, 2021, 09:11:28 PM »
That trick was taught to me by an old school machinist who was my uncle I worked for 25 years. Another trick that might help someone on this forum that he showed me that I have used many times is removing screws that are about to strip the head out is to get some valve grinding compound and put some on the end of the screwdriver before it’s completely stripped. It will bite into that screw and you will be able to remove it. Permatex sells it in a squeeze tube.
Thanks for the tip. I’m going to try this. I actually have a stripped screw on my headlight bezel that I can’t get out. It’s not totally stripped yet because I made myself walk away! Lol

I will definitely give this a try.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline JohnnyPopper

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2526
  • Old Goof
Re: Rear axle sleeve (saver) removal methods?
« Reply #8 on: February 04, 2021, 04:38:05 AM »
Sometimes it's best to 'walk away' regroup, improvise, adapt, and overcome...Marines?
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline JohnnyPopper

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2526
  • Old Goof
Re: Rear axle sleeve (saver) removal methods?
« Reply #9 on: February 04, 2021, 06:11:43 AM »
BTW ecarter, that is one rusty square, judging (but not being judgemental) by the rust on the back plate and bolts...

You didn't find it in the ocean off the Philippines or Vietnam, did you?  ;)
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline carmen77

  • Registered Users
  • *
  • Posts: 163
  • Newbie
Re: Rear axle sleeve (saver) removal methods?
« Reply #10 on: February 04, 2021, 08:26:52 AM »
Sometimes it's best to 'walk away' regroup, improvise, adapt, and overcome...Marines?
Great advice!

Sometimes easier said than done.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk