I have been working on a full suspension rebuild on my 67 RS over the last few months, and all's going well, except for ONE problem. I have to pull the axles to remove the old drum brake backing plates and install the new plates for the discs. Every breakdown manual I've read just says "remove the rear axle" but they don't elaborate on it.
I've got a 12-bolt rear end, and I've taken the cover off and removed the c-clips. The drum brakes are off as well, but I can't figure out how to get the axles OUT. I got a slide hammer from schuck's that bolts up to the wheel hub, but that didn't help either.

Please help me with this! I want to finish this thing before winter hits, so I can at least take it out once in good weather!

 

bump? c'mon guys, SOMEone's gotta know how to do this! i'd appreciate the help!

 

With the c-clips off, the axles should just pull right out. Since you were able to push the axles in enough to remove the clips, do they feel like they can move in and out at all?
Have you tried removing the four nuts at either end, and loosening the retaining/backing plates? I wonder if a previous owner may have converted the axles over to the "pressed on bearing" style?

 

The c-clips came right out, and I've got about 1/8-1/4" of movement in and out, but that's it. What am I looking for with the press-on bearings, and how do I work through that? The slide hammer seems like it should work, but it's just not doing the trick

 

With a c-clip rearend, the axle slides right out after the clip is removed. That's why performance guys don't like that setup, because if you snap a clip, the axle gives you the slip!
With a pressed on bearing, the outer wheel bearing is pressed onto the axle, and may also have a spring clip on the axle against the bearing. As opposed to the c-clip style, where the axle slips right through the bearing. There would be an end plate that bolts to the mounting flange on the end of the axle housing tube. That plate is sandwiched between the axle wheel hub and the bearing, and that's what holds the bearing/axle in place.
That's why I said to remove the nuts and loosen the outer flange to see if that makes any difference. If you don't have pressed on bearings, you need a bigger hammer, and a pry bar, and a helper.

 

I have a 10 bolt, and when I did the brake swap, it was too easy. Like too too easy, like mentioned above. I saw some stuff about a c-clip eliminator (pressed on bearings?), could someone have put one on? I dont recall exactly how it worked, but it keeps the axle from flying out. Just a thought.

 

if it had c-clip eliminators on it , it sure couldnt and wouldnt have c clips on the end of the axles. there wouldnt be anyway to get a clip on or off because the axle wouldnt have any movement. hope that helps

 

Baffling,if you pulled the c-clips out of the rear end the axles should pull out with ease.
It should go just like this..........

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/1...xle_153887.htm