The axle shaft should pull right through the hole in the knuckle without a problem, shouldn't need a hammer.
If you’re working on removing the ujoints from the axle shaft you will more than likely need more than a small hammer and socket. You need to first remove the retaining clips. Then once you do that you will want to place your axle shaft in a vice and open the vice up till two of the four yoke ears are resting on the vice. Then you’re going to smack the axle shaft where I have the arrow placed and in that direction. The other line in the picture is a reference line and and runs the length of the axle shaft in the center.



I know this is a pic of a driveshaft, but this way also works on axle shafts.

You will continue to hit in that spot till the cap located nearest to where you’re hitting comes out and you will repeat this three more times to knock the other 3 ujoint caps out. This doesn't require alot of force even with the most seized up ujoint cap. The most important thing not to do is case deformation of the round hole where the cap goes, this is usually caused by missing your target of where you want to hit or getting to close to the hole while hitting. I know there are a 1000 ways to do this but I find this to be the easiest for me.

 

OP do yourself a favor and take the axle to a machine shop and have them do the R&R of the u joint. If you don't have a vise large enough or ball joint press beating it out and in with hammer is going to guarantee you'll be doing it again soon.

 

Okay, clips are off, but all the beating in the world isnt getting the caps to move more than an eighth of an inch... Any suggestions?

 

I know an 1/8" isn't much but try getting ahold of the cap with the vice and rotate the axleshaft back and fourth while pulling the axleshaft up and away from the cap, it usually works but i have never had one start coming apart and then stop at 1/8"

 

Why don't you two take this to PM's. Reading this is making me cringe. Unsubscribing

 

It is a few minute procedure for a shop with experience. It should cost about $20.00 to change the joint on the axle.
A press is the best way to do this but if you dont have a press you need to use the beat and poud method. if you still want to do this part of the repair yourself you do need to be careful that you do not bend the end of the shaft otherwise you will not get the new joint installed or teh clips back on if you do get the cups in.

 

Do you have a vise?
If so I here is a method that works fgood for me.
Take a socket that is about the same size as the cap but just a tad smaller, so it will push the cap thru without getting stuck.
Then get another socket that is just a bit bigger internally than the cap. Put the small socket on one cap, put the bigger socket on the axle over the cap just oposite. Put that setup in a vise and squeeze it together. It will push the whole joint thru and you will be able to get a hold of the cap that is going into the bigger socket wit a oair of vise grips or even a vise as mentioned earlier.

Sorry I had to bail on you yesterday. But man I am glad I missed all that other garbage that went on.

Be sure to keep the whole setup lubricated with PB blaster or similiar penetrating spray. Remember penetrating spray will work into there with a little vibration from a hammer. Don't beat the S*%t out of it though. LOL

Good Luck.

 

yeah, i don't have a vise big enough, but i've been drenching it with Rem oil (i know it's gun spray, but it works just as good as anything i've used before) and now it seems to be breaking free with a little bit of force and determination thanks for all the help guys! if i run into any more problems, i'll let you know!

 

If you get one of the caps to just stick out a little bit you can put a pair of vise grips on it and twist till it comes out.
Then flip and repeat.
Sounds like you are on your way. Good luck.