Modern Vespa

Howdy. I've started a rebuild on a 1958 GS engine and have run into a snag. Everything else has come apart as expected, but the dang axle ain't "tapping" out. (And I'm doing more than tapping, too: some pretty solid whacks. Gotten to where I'm nervous about damaging something).

So far I've been cycling thru heat (to the outside bearing, and also the case around it) and PB Blaster. The axle has moved maybe a 1/4 or 3/8ths inch, but now it's beginning to take the inner part of the outer bearing along with it. I'd say that's where the problem is—the inner ring of that bearing is pretty solidly stuck to the shaft.

Any thoughts? Just keep cycling through heat and Blaster? I'm nervous about just moving on to the caveman solution, a much bigger hammer.

Any wisdom much appreciated. Thanks.

Tough one! I would try using a crankshaft installation tool to try to pull it back in place then tap on it as you have been doing, then pull it back in place with the crankshaft installation tool, and tap on it again. Repeat and Repeat! Hopefully it will break free. You are working it in one direction only. Maybe working it in both directions will free it up. You can also try soaking it with a 50/50 mix of acetone and type F transmission fluid. The acetone/type F mix will creep down deep then the acetone portion will evaporate leaving the type F transmission fluid behind to work its magic.

Good luck!

Hec

This is the problem when you get into widebody engines - lack of knowledge. There is a cut away on the output shaft that has to be orientated correctly to pass the primary gear.

Thank you, Hec and Jon.

Yes, it is hard to find info. I've been looking all over the web and talking to three guys who have rebuilt these engines. The new book about widebody engines seems to be out-of-stock in the US already.

And yet, tho I had seen the flat side on the axle, I didn't know what it was for. I think that video was in Swedish.

I'm trying to go slowly, but evidently I'm not going slowly enough. I know an experienced guy and will turn the extraction job over to him.

With a flashlight, I can see the flat edge on the axle, but it is not yet playing a role in this particular issue because it has not yet reached the primary gear.

Again, appreciate the help from both of you.