I got a bit much tied up in parts and may not be able to buy the press I was thinking of getting.  :'( :'( :'( I pulled my axles out on both sides. The 5 pound slide hammer came in handy for pulling the drums though it took about 30 good slams and some P.B. Blaster. Axles came right out. Passenger side seems o.k. but the drivers side has a lot of play. It's definitely loose on the axle or at least with-in itself.  Part of the seal ( with the holes in it, and the little o-ring?) came out the end.  No fluid poured out either end of the housing but there was no sign of leakage at the shaft ends. Maybe it's low and that's the noise?  I  have the bearing kit coming from I think Petro Works since they were the cheapest of the ones that actually had it in stock. Hawks had it cheapest but they were on back order.

Now the question. Is grinding and chiseling the best way to get all the parts off? What about a big old nut splitter of some sort?

For convenience sake, I was thinking of taking it to a shop and having the old ones removed and the new ones pressed on. I think they would probably hit the old ones with a torch.

Will that work without causing axle damage? How much can I expect to pay for 1: Removal of the old ones. And 2: How much to have the new ones pressed on?

Your expert and not so expert advise appreciated.

-Adam

Would I be able to put the new spacer, bearing, and lock on by using a long pipe over the axle and a sledge hammer
-Adam

just grind the locking ring down a little just don't hit the axel and take a large chisel and hit it , it will break in two real easy if you grind both sides (180 appart) and yes on the pipe but make sure you have the axel against something kinda soft as not to mess it up where the drum goes on.

Thanks. Since the force needs to be against the flange, Can I just put a block underneath the flange where it wont hit the brake assembly (still installed). I don't see how I could knock the bearings and stuff on by having something soft under it. It would absorb the impact and not allow the force to knock the bearing, ring, etc. on. Surely you mean to not stand it up on my driveway or a piece of steel but wood would be o.k.

-Adam

you could use some hard wood like oak or turn the drum around and bolt it in from the other side, your still going to have to have the old bearing pulled off with a clam shell and a couple pieces of all thread and a puller or a shop press, I have heard of guys putting bearings back on in the middle of the con with thier jack handle from a high lift and a large rock, so you should have better luck.

A local auto shop here just told me an hour to an hour and a half on labor to pull the one's and put on the new ones. Around $113.00. Could be less. I think I'll do it myself. Adam