Pumpkin Problem - need help!

[Keith R.]

I'm breaking down the rear axle assembly on my 60 in preparation for rebuilding the chassis and tried to pull the brake backing plates for cleanup only to discover that they won't come off with the rear axles in place. So, I decided to pull the axles out and the ST-12 Service Manual (page 4-7) says to pull the differential cover and then remove the C washers from the inner ends of the axle shafts to allow the axles to be removed. Ok, so I unbolt the differential housing cover (Positraction) and free the cover from the banjo housing but it won't pull clear of the housing. It's loose but feels like it's hung up on something inside. The ST-12 instructions for 1960 refer to the 1953-1955 section which describes a rear cover differential. I don't want to force the cover to avoid causing damage. A fellow chapter member says that the ST-12 instructions are wrong and that I need to snug the cover back down and pull the axles first using a slide puller - no C washers to remove. Any guidance out there?

[Bruce B.]

Re: Pumpkin Problem - need help!

To pull the pumpkin from a 60 all you need to do is pull the axles and remove the pumpkin. There are no c-clips or anything else that has to be removed.
This is the normal sequence to remove the pumpkin;
Remove tires and brake drums.
Remove drain plug on housing it there is one.
Remove the 4 bolts holding the axle retainer to the backing plate and housing.
Pull the axles and loosen the pumpkin and let lube drain if there was no plug.
Remove the pumpkin.
That should be it.

[Ted S.]

Re: Pumpkin Problem - need help!

Keith, If you're just trying to get the brake backing plates off you don't need to remove the center section. All you do is unbolt the wheel cylinders and remove the 4 bolts that hold the retainer and the backing plate to the housing. Then pull on the axle. Some have built a slide hammer out of an old axle to help pull the axle as there is a little resistance due to the o-ring seals. There is no rear cover nor C clip on C1 rear ends.

[Mike M.]

Re: Pumpkin Problem - need help!

as keith mentioned, there were no covers on the banjo of a 56 thru 62 vette so if you've got a cover, then you may well have to remove c-clips to pull the axles from a non-56-62 rear end.mike

[Keith R.]

Re: Pumpkin Problem - need help!

Thanks Bruce, Ted and Mike. I don't have a rear inspection cover as Mike said - just the front pumpkin that the pinon shaft passes through. So, based upon the advice I've seen so far, I'm going to unbolt the four bolts passing through each of the brake flanges, hook a slide axle puller to the flanges and hopefully the axles will slide out without having to get inside the differential to remove anything.

[Mike M.]

Re: Pumpkin Problem - need help!

Thanks Bruce, Ted and Mike. I don't have a rear inspection cover as Mike said - just the front pumpkin that the pinon shaft passes through. So, based upon the advice I've seen so far, I'm going to unbolt the four bolts passing through each of the brake flanges, hook a slide axle puller to the flanges and hopefully the axles will slide out without having to get inside the differential to remove anything.

the axles are definitly removable without getting into the pumpkin if its a 56-62. if ya don't have a slide hammer, secure both ends of a 10' long piece of logging chain to two of the lug studs, having slid an end of the chain thru a 6" or 8" concrete block.then "throw" the concrete block away from the axle. when the block reaches the slack loop of the logging chain, the axle will pop out of the axle housing. never seen it fail.in 1969, the wife and daughter and i drove to so. cal. in a 51 chevy woody wagon(455 Olds , muncie 4 speed and a 55 chevy rear end). lost an axle bearing near the grand canyon. limped about 10 miles south of the canyon and discovered an old abandoned gas station with a abandoned 55 chevy 4 door behind the gas station. nobody around and no slide hammer to remove the 55 chevy's axle. there was a concrete block and i had a chain. now ya know the rest of the story.mike

[Dale S.]

Re: Pumpkin Problem - need help!

American ingenuity in action. Thanks dale

[Tom P.]

Re: Pumpkin Problem - need help!

There is no rear cover nor C clip on C1 rear ends.

Oh yes there is--------------------53-55. Essentially the exact same rear as 49-54 pass car rear!

[Cecil L.]

Re: Pumpkin Problem - need help!

Another way is to reverse the brake drum, reattach the lug nuts loosely and use the drum for a slide hammer. Could be rough on the stud threads, though.

[Rod K.]

Re: Pumpkin Problem - need help!

Probably ought to plan to drop the center section and replace the gasket since it's been compromised now.

[Chuck G.]

Re: Pumpkin Problem - need help!

Another way is to reverse the brake drum, reattach the lug nuts loosely and use the drum for a slide hammer. Could be rough on the stud threads, though.

That's the method I've used.

I've never tried the "cinder block" method. I haven't pulled a ton of axles in my life, but I've never had any problem popping them out using the reverse brake drum trick.

Chuck

[John N.]

Re: Pumpkin Problem - need help!

the axles are definitly removable without getting into the pumpkin if its a 56-62. if ya don't have a slide hammer, secure both ends of a 10' long piece of logging chain to two of the lug studs, having slid an end of the chain thru a 6" or 8" concrete block.then "throw" the concrete block away from the axle. when the block reaches the slack loop of the logging chain, the axle will pop out of the axle housing. never seen it fail.in 1969, the wife and daughter and i drove to so. cal. in a 51 chevy woody wagon(455 Olds , muncie 4 speed and a 55 chevy rear end). lost an axle bearing near the grand canyon. limped about 10 miles south of the canyon and discovered an old abandoned gas station with a abandoned 55 chevy 4 door behind the gas station. nobody around and no slide hammer to remove the 55 chevy's axle. there was a concrete block and i had a chain. now ya know the rest of the story.mike

Mike
Your story is unbelievable and will be unforgettable. A tech video with sound would be memorable. What did your family say about the experience?
Regards

[Mike M.]

Re: Pumpkin Problem - need help!

Mike
Your story is unbelievable and will be unforgettable. A tech video with sound would be memorable. What did your family say about the experience?
Regards

it was too damn cold coming out of the canyon for Lea or Chrissy to complain about "borrowing" the axle. regards,mike

[Terry D.]

Re: Pumpkin Problem - need help!

A lot of parts stores have that puller to rent, depending how much room you have in your garage to throw cinder blocks around it might be worth the few bucks to rent a puller. Harbor Freight also sells one pretty cheap. Just my 2 cents
Terry

[Keith R.]

Re: Pumpkin Problem - need help!

Actually picked up a flange puller from Auto Zone and as long as I return it within 90 days, it doesn't cost a cent (and probably cheaper than buying a concrete block!)