Axle Still Won't Drop

[Jeepjunk4]

Got all the bolts out, it appears AS notched out the tank shroud to fit over the axle flange. After sleeping on it I think I'm gonna try and cut the shroud. Idk any better ideas? for detailed description see previous thread post#13

[featherbedder]

Originally Posted by Jeepjunk4

Got all the bolts out, it appears AS notched out the tank shroud to fit over the axle flange. After sleeping on it I think I'm gonna try and cut the shroud. Idk any better ideas? for detailed description see previous thread post#13

Have you tried to wedge screw driver or some thing between bottom of frame & flange as flange is widest at point of top of angle cut, I had to do this when I changed mine then had to jack in place as pretty tight fit [no slop].

[Jeepjunk4]

I did try to pry it with a big #%$ prybar and no go. Made a few test bores with a drill bit to see what kind of clearance I had and I think I'm tasting victory!!!

[Mexray]

Wow...Mine just dropped out of our 1978 rig when I changed em'...

Of course the tank shroud was added after the axles, and there could be some 'interference' there, but gravity should make the axles drop on their own...

If the axles are still 'tight', and all the bolts are gone, sounds like they are 'wedged' up in there - are they collapsed to such a stat that there's some interference with the axle 'levers'...?

Fun stuff, isn't it...

[Jeepjunk4]

I know this is crazy, the axles are out now. I read the stories, 4 hours and done, that's the rigs with the flat bottom, easily accessible bolts,easy, done. Mine is one of those and I know the mid 80's excellas are the same way, where the fresh water tank is lower than the front axle, and the rear axle is sandwiched in between the tanks!!! And what ur looking at in the pic, looking from the ground up, is the part of the grey tank cover that I had to cut out to get the axle to drop. The light colored metal is the metal tank cover that I had to notch out, and at the bottom of the pic that dark strip is actually the bottom of the frame rail. That's how tight that tank is to the frame.

[perryg114]

I think mine has bolts on the axle mounting plate as well as on the frame and you know those suckers are not coming out.

Glad you go them out.

Perry