Hey guys I need some help pulling the axles out of my 52 merc to get the 3rd member out and to be honest I just don't know how to do it I've got the puller and everything just don't know where to start. Thanks
Your axle is held in by a bearing retainer, this is the part directly behind your axle flange and is held in place by 4 3/8" nuts located behind the backing plate. Remove the nuts and if you are lucky the axle with the outer bearing and it's retainer will slide out. Have a rag handy to catch the inside axle end as it will have 90 wt. oil all over it and will rustproof your floor. If you are unlucky your bearing maybe stuck in the end of the axle housing and you will have to jerk it out somehow. Be careful to brace the car so when you jerk it you don't pull it off the axle stands.
Puller won't do you any good. You need a slide hammer or 10 feet of log chain. Place weight of car on the axle housing, which will be on heavy jack stands placed under the springs.
The Jalopy Journal
