Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1928 Chrysler R 9480, axle shaft, size thread

Question
How do I take the rear wheels of so that I can grease the bearings? The key seems to be in real tight.

Answer
John, my dad taught me to use a tool that he called a bingo cap. It was a solid piece of round stock perhaps twice the diameter of the threaded portion of the rear axle. A hole was drilled an inch or two into one end and threaded with the same size thread as the axle end. The nut was removed from the axle and the washer if present. The bingo cap was screwed on leaving a quarter of an inch between it and the hub. The opposite wheel was then jacked up off the ground and the fun began. Using a sledge hammer he applied several good belts to the end of the bingo (hence the name he gave it) cap. That was usually enough to break the hub loose from the taper of the shaft and the key. I have a set of home made bingo caps in my tools box. You can use the axle nut as a bingo cap by reinstalling the nut after removing the washer so that the top of the nut and the end of the axle are flush. There is the danger of mushrooming the end of the axle shaft threads doing this. But they can be cleaned up and dressed with a file.
Good Luck. Brad