What's the trick for the rear axle?!?

[mopower]

Hi all,
Tried taking the rear wheel off my 67 CL77 last night. I've read two manual entries and both of them say the same thing: "remove the cotter pin and rear axle nut" and then glibly state "Slide out the rear axle." Yeah... not in THIS lifetime.

Having never taken one of these babies apart, I'm assuming that the axle runs from the threaded end on the left side, entirely through the wheel, and ends in that chromed flange with the hole through it on the right side. Being fooled by the simple "slide" instruction, I tried to push it out first. I then tried a rubber mallet. Then a plastic mallet. Then a piece of wood between the axle and a claw hammer. Then a 5 pound sledge. It didn't budge an inch. By sticking a screwdriver in the right side flange hole and yanking, I was able to turn the axle so it's not completely seized.

I'm thinking it's not coming out because all of my banging is just being transfered to the frame instead of the actual axle. Tell me it's not something even simpler.

[LOUD MOUSE]

You may want to the LEFT SIDE CHAIN ADJUSTER. Sometimes it will spread as you try yo slide the axle out and won't let it out. When you atist the axle see what else may turn.
From what ya say your bike is as simple as you tell us. Nut off and remove axle. ...................lm

Hi all,
Tried taking the rear wheel off my 67 CL77 last night. I've read two manual entries and both of them say the same thing: "remove the cotter pin and rear axle nut" and then glibly state "Slide out the rear axle." Yeah... not in THIS lifetime.

Having never taken one of these babies apart, I'm assuming that the axle runs from the threaded end on the left side, entirely through the wheel, and ends in that chromed flange with the hole through it on the right side. Being fooled by the simple "slide" instruction, I tried to push it out first. I then tried a rubber mallet. Then a plastic mallet. Then a piece of wood between the axle and a claw hammer. Then a 5 pound sledge. It didn't budge an inch. By sticking a screwdriver in the right side flange hole and yanking, I was able to turn the axle so it's not completely seized.

I'm thinking it's not coming out because all of my banging is just being transfered to the frame instead of the actual axle. Tell me it's not something even simpler.

[mopower]

... and still no joy. I went from a plastic hammer to a claw hammer to a one pound mallet to a five pound sledge, and still, no significant progress. I've attached two files of the right hand side. I'm banging on the left hand side trying to get the axle out, and its almost acting like there's some hidden clip or something still holding things in place. The first picture, axle1.jpg has two arrows, A and B. Arrow A is pointing to the only place I've seen any movement at all - and it appears that it's the hub coming off the axle. Arrow B is pointing to where I expected to see movement - where I believe the axle is supposed to come out of the frame. The second picture, axle2.jpg, has a third arrow C that looks like some sort of collar that seems like it would actually prevent the axle from coming through the frame. Note that I'm NOT talking about the chain adjuster, but that ridge that looks like it's part of the axle itself. Am I missing something here? Any thoughts? I had someone suggest a ball-joint fork under the flange at B but that'd tear up the frame pretty good.

[joeweir1]

Looks like the chain adjuster is holding it fast.Did you try putting a punch in the hole in the axle and spinning it to see if it will pop free(it might be seized) or try wiggling the chain adjuster up and down to free it up.Maybe the chain adjuster wore a groove in the axle and is stuck on that and spinng the axle 90 degrees would maybe help?.Looks like it will come out.Try putting some water on the rust to loosen it up.If you have a helper try tapping on the nut end while pulling out on the end with hole with a large punch inserted and wiggling left and right.Just my 3 cents worth.Joe

[LOUD MOUSE]

The axle is installed from the wrong side. That said I recommend you put some/more penetrating fluid on the spacer and adjuster. Grip the spacer with vise grips and put a rod or something in the hole in the axle and make these parts move/twist/turn. Add what amount more of the liquid and continue moving the spacer on the axle and as you do apply out pull on the axle as you twist the axle. ........................lm

... and still no joy. I went from a plastic hammer to a claw hammer to a one pound mallet to a five pound sledge, and still, no significant progress. I've attached two files of the right hand side. I'm banging on the left hand side trying to get the axle out, and its almost acting like there's some hidden clip or something still holding things in place. The first picture, axle1.jpg has two arrows, A and B. Arrow A is pointing to the only place I've seen any movement at all - and it appears that it's the hub coming off the axle. Arrow B is pointing to where I expected to see movement - where I believe the axle is supposed to come out of the frame. The second picture, axle2.jpg, has a third arrow C that looks like some sort of collar that seems like it would actually prevent the axle from coming through the frame. Note that I'm NOT talking about the chain adjuster, but that ridge that looks like it's part of the axle itself. Am I missing something here? Any thoughts? I had someone suggest a ball-joint fork under the flange at B but that'd tear up the frame pretty good.

[mopower]

Looks like the chain adjuster is holding it fast.Did you try putting a punch in the hole in the axle and spinning it to see if it will pop free(it might be seized) or try wiggling the chain adjuster up and down to free it up.Maybe the chain adjuster wore a groove in the axle and is stuck on that and spinng the axle 90 degrees would maybe help?.Looks like it will come out.Try putting some water on the rust to loosen it up.If you have a helper try tapping on the nut end while pulling out on the end with hole with a large punch inserted and wiggling left and right.Just my 3 cents worth.Joe

I can move the chain adjuster up and down with a pair of vice grips. I also tried just what you said, put a punch in the hole, and if I hit it with a hammer, it will spin. Very, very, slowly, but I was able to spin it 180 degrees each direction.

Good idea about the chain adjuster wearing though. I'll give that a whirl.

[mopower]

The axle is installed from the wrong side. That said I recommend you put some/more penetrating fluid on the spacer and adjuster. Grip the spacer with vise grips and put a rod or something in the hole in the axle and make these parts move/twist/turn. Add what amount more of the liquid and continue moving the spacer on the axle and as you do apply out pull on the axle as you twist the axle. ........................lm

Wrong side?!? How is that even possible? It looks right according to my manual. So you're saying that thing that arrow C is pointing to should twist separately from the axle or together? Haven't tried that yet.
Thanks everyone for the tips.