Another question:
You cannot get the axle to move inward AT ALL, correct?

I've had at least 6 sets of these axles out and in over the last three years and NEVER had to do anything other than lightly tap the center of the axle with a mallet and drift to free them. On a couple of cars they slid freely by hand.

FWIW, a couple of years ago I ran my 300D well over 10,000 miles after discovering it had a split boot...infrequently it would start clicking and I would squirt some 5th wheel lube into the cracked boot and tape it back up with fresh duct tape. Not a recommended operating procedure but, unless it was making severe clanking, you could put it back together and drive it until without much worry.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

Thanks for the encouragement!!
As for the rust- I don't know if there is any as my car is not rusty. I was just speculating. I do live on the coast and you never know..
The last time I did this (2yrs ago) I only assisted but the axle slid right out after a few blows. Sooo...
off to try more heat will keep everyone posted.
P.S. I've left instructions with my wife to intervene if she sees me with the 5' crowbar

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2dieseljohn
1979 300sd (283,000+) Road Trips
1983 240D 4-speed (350,000+) Daily Driver
1967 E-TypeS1 in bits and pieces

PB Blaster and time... and a hammer.

Beg, borrow, or steal a porta-power from somewhere. Put one end on the diffy, and the other on the hub assembly (where the brake caliper mounts). Pump like mad.

If that still doesn't get it, get a bigger hammer. Use the bigger hammer WHILE you have the porta-power stretching things out. It'll come.

Jay.

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On the road, currently:
'83 300D (German spec.) 168k mi. - - Wolfgang (tucked snugly away for the winter!)
'87 300D 375k mi. - finally went over to "The Dark Side"
'87 300TD 225k mi.
Cannondale 66cm CAAD5 w/Campy/Jamis Aurora
Hujsak Custom Fixie/Landshark Track Shark Custom/Ahearne Custom 29'er

To all of you who gave advice thanks. While I got nowhere today, I'll try again on Friday.

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2dieseljohn
1979 300sd (283,000+) Road Trips
1983 240D 4-speed (350,000+) Daily Driver
1967 E-TypeS1 in bits and pieces

Hey, you find my freon leak, and I'll get that half shaft out......

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

How about you get my axle unstuck and I'll give you some cans of Freon and just keep topping the A/C off

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2dieseljohn
1979 300sd (283,000+) Road Trips
1983 240D 4-speed (350,000+) Daily Driver
1967 E-TypeS1 in bits and pieces

Well, you get that thing out yet?

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

i recommend a puller. put the pressure to it then whack it with the biggest hammer you can find!

also as a note, pulling vs pushing, as a matter of physics (for every action there is an equal and oppostite reactin) if you are pulling one place there is another place where it is pushing.

good luck

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.