How do we get the broken piece out from the axel housing? There is a piece about 18" long left inside the housing. I tried magnets, coiled wire, stickey stuff on a stick. Should I open the rear end and push it out?
Any help?
Chevy 1931

ONE SOLUTION TO TRY: I assume you have the good axle out, if not pull it. Get two broom handles (just smaller in diameter than the axles),one must be long enough to reach almost all the way thru from one side to the next and the other just long enough to reach the broken stub. push the long one in from the good axle side and engage the broken stub in the splines. someone helping can then engage the broken stub from the other side. have the one with the long handle push hard enough to push the stub out of the splines and keep back pressure on the other side to keep the stub from falling down into the lower part of the housing, sometimes this works and when it does not then pull the inspection cover ......

I think the differential side gear shaft will get in the way from the good axle side and you will probably have to pull the rear cover any way. This is the better way as you can then clean any debri from the failed axle out of the housing before it gets mixed into the bearings and chews the whole unit.
Tony

I have broken three in the last 40 years. I have a piece of coat hanger with an open loop bent right angle to the wire. I reach in to the stub and rotate the loop so it will open around the stub. When it is caught I pull it out and insert the new axle. It can be done in 45 minutes or less in a motel parking lot.
See you down the back roads. Jim

I have broken three in the last 40 years. I have a piece of coat hanger with an open loop bent right angle to the wire. I reach in to the stub and rotate the loop so it will open around the stub. When it is caught I pull it out and insert the new axle. It can be done in 45 minutes or less in a motel parking lot.
See you down the back roads. Jim

And then you get one that has worn the splines so badly before it broke, that you have to take off the rear view mirror to get the stub out. (Just being facitious). You get the picture.

GEE Ray
Are'nt you thinking of that Old FoMoCo you had where the Left Tire slowly creeped furthur from the body , when the axle snapped, until it went berserk and took the whole fender off ??
Herb