Hey guys/gals I'm needing to swap my rear wheel studs on my 83 Pontiac firebird it has drum rear brakes one stud has snapped off so I'm going to replace them with ARP but I wanted to know whether I need to pull the axles out or can I just do it while the axles are in situ in the diff? Is this possible to do any tips on how to do it would be much appreciated.
Cheers

 

Check for clearance between the axle flange and brake backing plate to get the studs out. I expect the studs are longer than the space, meaning the axles have to come out.

Also, if you hammer the studs out/in, I wouldn't want to have the C clip taking that force.

Therefore, removing the axles, and taking them to a press is the best method.

 

I'd strongly suggest NOT using ARP or other "high-performance" ones.

Just get yerbasic Dorman or similar. What your corner parts store will have.

You can use a ball joint press or the like to press the remnants of the old one out, and a grade 8 nut with some REAL THICK washers or spacers to clear the unthreaded shank part of the stud, to draw it in. Use LOTS of grease on the threads and change the nut if it galls. DO NOT hammer on ANYTHING!!!! especially not putting the new one in. You will only succeed in destroying things (C-clips, bearings, etc.) inside the rear axle.

 

Don't worry about the C-clips; just don't beat on it like a moron.
Use a hammer, take small taps; it'll come out.

Dorman are fine. GM is fine. ARP is fine.
If you're running stock, closed nuts, don't get extra long ones.
Just make sure the knurls that press in are correctly sized.

 

Sweet thanks guys really appreciate the help I'll try get stuck into it in a couple weeks I'll post up how I go with it cheers.