Axle Puller

Trying to pull the axles on my 1969 cj5 dana 44. Is there a special axle puller for this thing? I have a slide hammer but the attachments won't connect to the studs. Thanks.

 

You need one like this to pull the hubs. I believe there are offbrands available for around $80
OTC 7394 Universal Hub Puller Tool with Wrench | eBay
For the axle itself the slide hammer should work but probably have to make something custom to adapt it

 

Still trying to learn how to post pictures. I have been collecting parts for 20 years. I have an Ox locker, 4.88 gears, and a Warn full floating axle kit.

 

If it's a tapered axle with a big nut on the end of it, you need a puller like this to get the hub off the axle:



Mine took some heat with a propane torch, 10 minutes of pounding with a 3lb sledge, and a few swear words to get off the right side. The left side popped off with no effort. That puller was around $80.00 on Amazon and the quality seems decent.

Once that's off, you can undo the retainer bolts on the axle and pull it out. I usually put the hub back on with the nut threaded just a little bit and use the hub as a slide hammer. If that doesn't work, you need to fab a way to hook a real slide hammer to the axle shaft.

If you have a flanged axle without the nut, you'll have to find a slide hammer attachment that bolts to the lugs or is a puller style that can span the flange.

 

Yes, that can't be stated enough!

 

4.88's are low. Without an OD, five speed, and/or excessively large tires, they may be too low.
Just something to think about prior to installing them.

 

JMO - people pay big money to get deep gears like 4.88s on newer Jeeps. If you run the numbers, a Jeep with 4.88s and 33" tires will be under 3500 RPM at 70. That's pretty fast on the highway for one of these Jeeps. The 225 is a relatively modern design and should go 3500 all day and night if in good condition. It will be loud, but that's expected with a CJ. Shorter tires will raise this by the change in diameter ie 3500 * 33/31 = 3725.

These Jeeps with the Dana 18 transfer case accept a Warn/Saturn overdrive. I believe the final drive ratio for these is 0.75, which would drop your engine speed at 70 to about 2600. Seems worthwhile.

IIRC this OTC puller is what's available on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/OTC-7394-Universal-Hub-Puller/dp/B0002SRH60/ref=sr_1_9

 

With the flanged axle you can use the brake drum as a makeshift puller. Turn the drum around, thread the lug nuts on a couple of threads, and yank! The inch or so of travel that you get is often enough to get the axle out.

 

A '69 with flanged axles seems unlikely. I thought those were '70-71 only.

 

My understanding was that he has the full-floater kit, not that it's installed. He's been collecting parts, and now wants to install them.

 

My CJ 5 came with the optional 4.88's and those work just fine with the 225 and the factory stock H78-15 tires. But the Warn overdrive did help the mileage along with a little less noise. And I'm sure it enhances engine longevity. It's a really nice package.

 

Thanks to everyone who commented. I've been lurking in the shadows for years reading and collecting parts. I need to start a build thread. I will do that this weekend

 

I've owned two 71 CJ's, both with the V6 and 31" tires. One had the stock 3.73's, the other the optional 4.88's with an OD. I had the opportunity to drive both of them side by side. Both Jeeps had the T14A transmission and offroad, the 3.73's suffered in first gear, unlike the 4.88's. I found the 3.73's highway optimal while the 4.88's were too low without the OD (3000RPM's at 55 is, IHMO, unnecessarily excessive for the V6 and it's power output). I later swapped out the 3.73's for 4.10's and felt that they were a tad low for cruising as well.

Just my personal opinion based on my first hand experience.