Hello all. I recently took out the Skylark for a drive because it was nice out and basically tore apart my Drivers side backing plate. In order to remove it, the axel would need removed also because of the hub on the end of it. I got the pumpkin off of the Differential and removed the 2 bolts that looked like they held the axel in place. My question is what next? I attempted to remove the axel with no budge whatsoever. Is there something else in there that needs loosening? Also, a ton of oil poured out and i was wondering how i would go about puttin that nice, black stuff back in. Didn't look like there was a spout anywhere to re-fill the Diff. back up. Is there a spout on the top to re-fill it? As always, thanks again for any help that is given. :TU: :beer
Bob, If you turn the wheel hub and look through the holes in the flange you should see 4 bolts that hold the axle in place. Remove those and shaboom - the axle should slide out. There will be a plug on the top half of the pumpkin toward the front to add gear lube. Now is a good time to dredge all the old goop out and replace with new. Buy a gallon of 80w/90 limited slip gear lube and one of the hand pumps that screw on the jug and you're good to go. Fill it until it drips out of the fill hole. If you removed the bearing cap bolts trying to pull the axle be sure the cap goes back in the way it came out. I'm assuming it's a 10-bolt 8.2" rear in your '70 Skylark.
What Gary said is right on the money. I've had several that still wouldnt budge after I removed the bolts. When that happens I have a large slide hammer and a couple of whacks later the axle is out :TU:
Once the axle is unbolted, take the brake drum, and slide it over the wheel studs bacwards, then loosely intall a couple lug nuts, and use the drum as a slide hammer, works every time.
