bravada front axle stuck please help

[brettmisty]

I am trying to replace my ball joints in my 98 bravada. The uppers were a piece of cake, the lowers are killing me. I am trying to drive the axles out but am having no luck. I have tried a hammer - no luck. I have tried a 2 ton puller - broke it. I have tried a block of wood and a ten pound sledge - split the 2x4. Please any ideas on how to get these axles out.

P.S. the spindle nut has been removed as has the caliper, rotor, tie rod and shock.

[Chris Stewart]

Have you taken the hub off yet? Take off the 3 15mm bolts then press the hub off pushing on the axle end. I put together a plate, bolts and application of a 1lb. hammer in the Fall of the year for making the job more pleasurable.
Now you should have an axle laying in the spindle. The lower is sprung with a torsion bar so you'll need a tool for loosening the torsion bar like the J36202 Torsion Bar Unloading/Loading tool.
I've replaced a Bravada hub but no A-frame bushings yet.
If you're going to get this involved with repairing your Bravada, maybe you should acquire a factory type service manual for serious info
Here's a '97 manual
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Helm-...QQcmdZViewItem

[boldsmobile]

i did my ball joints. i took a LARGE slug of brass and held it on the splined end of the shaft. hit the slug of brass with a 5 lb sledge. got it out ok.

before i did that i fabricate a tool to bolt on the wheel studs and an threaded rod to push the axle out. wouldnt even budge it. i didnt want to heat it as i didnt want to harm the bearing or speed sensor.

have been driving it 3 plus years and now and no side affects from whacking it. i suppose if you had a marginal bearing smacking the axle end would kill it.

i did the hammer because the i couldnt push it through with a threaded rod mounted to special "puller"

good luck