Technical 51 Cadillac rear axle shaft

Anyone know if the rear axle shafts on a 1951 Cadillac Series 62 have c-clips? Anyone have a diagram of rear end?

 

No c clip. See the hole in the flange.

 

Ty sir

 

How do I pull the axles out? And do I need to worry about spline alignment inside pumpkin?

 

4 nuts off the retainer flange and a slide hammer. Sometimes they come out by hand.

 

The nut’s are accessed by the hole on the axle flange. A trick is to place brake drum backwards onto wheels studs then place lugs nuts on backwards (cone toward you) only to the end of the lug nut opening (you want to leave a gap). Now with both hands push drum away from you until it touches the axel. Now pull like mad toward you. This is the poor man’s slide hammer when you don’t have one.

 

Yes sir

 

Next bearing removal. Any ideas?

 

I use the cut and split with a chisel method. Just be careful not to cut into retainer or axel while cutting.

 

A bearing separator and a press. Used to also install the new bearing.

 

This is the correct way, press the bearing off and press the new one back on.
All of the back alley methods be it cutting it off with a chisel or torch or ? stand too much chance of damaging the axle shaft if you aren't well versed in what you are doing.
Machine shops either automotive or job shop, garages with a press and parts houses with a machine shop with a press can swap the bearing.

 

Some of you asked if I had this done on a plasma table. Nope, only 4 1/2” angle grinder work.
The chisel is crack/split retainer and inner portion of bearing only after relief cuts are made. Chisel never touches the axel.