What is absolute best method of getting these seized rear wheels off without damaging axle or transmission? I have applied heat and lubricant and still no budge. The square key is lodged all the way back in the groove and I can't see it from the front or back of wheel. I don't care about the rim at this point, I just want the whole damn thing off of the axle and I'll replace it with a new tire and rim. Would drilling a hole above the key ring and cutting out the rim work? Getting pretty desperate.
Spray it down thoroughly with penetrating oil & let soak overnight. Use scotchbrite pad, emery cloth, etc. to clean up axle shafts. Apply Antiseize Compound to axle shafts before reinstalling wheels. Key here is patience. Let us know how it goes, thanks Mark
I put a pair of scissor jacks between the body and the wheel to apply some load on the wheel & axel
Then I lean into it with an air hammer on the axel
When the jacks slide out I tighten then up again & repeat .
When there has been about 1/2 of movement the wheel, wire brush the axel & run some emery paper inside the wheel to clean the rust off .
Apply a lot of penetrant to the axel & wheel then tap it back on
Do something else for 1/2 hour then come back and repeat the entire process
Some will take all day to do
The alternative is to heat the wheel red hot with the jacks behind and every time the wheel shifts a little tighten the jacks
The heat will not damage the wheel other than burn off all of the paint .
Once off polish the axels & derust the wheel
apply grease or copper anti sieze to the axel and slide the wheel on .
Wipe the excess off and work it into the key slot the tap the key in till it is flush with the front of the wheel so next time you can tap it back to break away rust bonding .
And make sure you fit the dust caps to the wheel .
I've felt your pain.
You have to be careful and not ruin the transaxle/transmission.
I have a large puller OTC that is available from HF.
I drill 1/2 inch hole in the rim on each side of the axle and apply pressure with the puller using long 3/8 bolts through the rim.
I've also had to take a piece of plastic pipe (the black well type is good) and heat the plastic pipe so it slip over the rim lip by the axle with a 90 ell glued on the end of the pipe, then pour the pipe full of 50/50 mix of ATF and acetone and let it set for few days. Cover the end of the 90ell so as dirt/debris/rain if the mower is outside. This allows the soak to penetrate between the axle and the rim. I then remove the plastic pipe and install the puller with the center puller bolt pushing on the axle end. I sometimes have to apply heat to the back of the rim on the tough ones. This procedure does not put a strain on the axle end that is going inside the transmission.
Before applying heat to a rim that has a aired up tire, let the air out of the tire to keep it from exploding like a bomb.
Sandpaper and anti seize is a good thing when going back together. (and a rubber dust cap full of grease over the end of the axle)
