Best way to relax axle holes?

[CivilWarTalk]

I'm pretty happy with the way my drill job turned out for the scout car I'm sending to Mid America, I lubed and tested the car, and set the steer.

Now I was hoping to pull the axles and re-apply the graphite, but the axles are really tough to remove, they seemed a bit tough to install, now I'm worried I will scuff the axles or wheel, or worse, break the wheels removing them.

I have one of those cheap Chinese needle nose pliers for removing axles, but I think my gap is too small to get a good bite on the axle, and I don't trust them to not scratch the wheel and/or axle head.

So, I may have to send the car as-is, and do the best graphite job I can without removing the axles.

What method should I use next time to relax the axle holes?

I purchased Dynasty 92s and a size 43 bit from DD4H to create this setup. I only ran the drill into the block once with my press and a few additional times by hand to remove any filings left in the hole.

Thanks!

 

[ngyoung]

fishing line or dental floss. Wrap it around the axle under the head a few times and you should be able to pull them out. Be a little careful where you are when you do it. Once it releases it can go flying if you have a lot of tension on the line.

 

[ngyoung]

To relax the holes I usually just take an axle without a wheel on it and push it in and out a few times until I feel that it is just loose enough to get off once the wheel is on without damaging the outer hub cone.

 

[CivilWarTalk]

fishing line or dental floss. Wrap it around the axle under the head a few times and you should be able to pull them out. Be a little careful where you are when you do it. Once it releases it can go flying if you have a lot of tension on the line.

Awesome idea, I have 50 lb test at home, I can string it from the car to the vice on my bench, maybe have my boy hold the wheel in a towel to keep it from flying away while I gently pull!

Awesome!

I still need to relax the holes, any advice on that?

 

[CivilWarTalk]

To relax the holes I usually just take an axle without a wheel on it and push it in and out a few times until I feel that it is just loose enough to get off once the wheel is on without damaging the outer hub cone.

Good idea, that will be my game plan!

 

[ngyoung]

Some people also add a tiny air hole on the underside so that you don't have to fight any suction. Another trick is to go even farther and make an access hole right where the axle tip would be so you can fit a small screwdriver or something to push the axle out.

 

[bracketracer]

I currently use a .0905" reamer in the hole after drilling and then use a scrap 92x axle in the hole to size it, but I understand that the 92x axles will be changing diameters where they insert into the body so measure your axles before you ream the holes to prevent the "OOOPS!". The axles measure .0910" that I have and the .0005 undersize reamer is fine for pine, if I use poplar they are still tight though. Probably only need a .0002 undersize for harder woods.

 

[B_Regal Racing]

I use a reamer (either.0900 or .0905) and a pin vise.

 

[561 racing]

I use a reamer (either.0900 or .0905) and a pin vise.

I do the same, but be careful which axles you use, old 92's vs new 92's slight difference. New ones are slightly smaller.

 

[CivilWarTalk]

fishing line or dental floss. Wrap it around the axle under the head a few times and you should be able to pull them out. Be a little careful where you are when you do it. Once it releases it can go flying if you have a lot of tension on the line.

Yay, fishing line trick worked like a charm! Thanks again!

 

[GravityX]

+1 on the reamer to relax the holes. Or! Use a 2.3mm drill bit to get a .905" hole.

 

[Eliminator Racing]

+1 on the pin vise and reamer or axle. You do not have to pull the axles to add graphite . I use a coffee stir
stick cut on a angle, use it like a mini spoon works great.

 

[LightninBoy]

What method should I use next time to relax the axle holes?

I like to use a nice glass of Cabernet or Merlot in a pinch.

 

[Bullet]

Ocean waves soundtrack and mood lighting also?

 

[561 racing]

What method should I use next time to relax the axle holes?

I like to use a nice glass of Cabernet or Merlot in a pinch.

LOL, that just made my day. Thanks for the laugh.

 

[BulldogRacing]

chisel and a hammer

 

[GravityX]

chisel and a hammer

 

[BulldogRacing]

I'm sorry I just re-read the thread, I thought he said best way to carve a statue out of marble.