Topic: rear axel removal

[Thunder]

aHi guys, i have a 78, and have stripped her down for powder coating. my problem lies with removing the rear axel from the wheel. Its just not budging.I've looked, and mebbe i'm being stupid but i just don't see why it wont come out.All the nuts are off etc? Could it be the axel is slightly bent? The bike looks to have been dropped at some stage.(rear wheel is true as near as i can tell).Any advice?

[KingCustomCycles.com]

Yes, I would vote for bent, or severely rusted on the inner third (not easily visible)  They are a very tight fit but usually greased at some pint in the past.  Try tapping it back and forth with a rubber mallet and some penetrating lube.  If it is bent you could turn one end and the other should wobble.  If you can, get the wheel off the bike and remove the brake and axle as a set.  You could press it out then even if bent.

[Thunder]

Cheers.Yeah i removed the whole wheel along with the brake mount.Tried to tap the Axel with a hammer, but nothing, it aint budging.Gonna try to press it out.the rear wheel seems fine, so i am at a loss as to what could've caused the Axel to bend? has anyone had this happen?
the bike was acting a bit squirley, and i couldn't trace the problem,thinking it was the chain having tight spots) but i think the Axel being bent  might be it.