Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1947 olds- thumping from back of car when moving, slide hammer, lug nuts

Question
I am suspecious of the axle bearing.  Any tricks to pulling the axle?

Answer
This is one of the easy ones to do. Take off the wheel and the brake drum. Behind the axle flange there will be a circle of nuts that hold the axle and the backing plate. Remove them and yank the axle out. If it is a bit stubborn after having been in place for 60 years, put the drum back on backwards. Put the lug nuts on only a few threads so that the drum will slide on the studs. Then use the drum as a slide hammer to loosen the axle from the housing. This is how we used to do it on the day, and yes I am old enough that I worked on these things when they were new.
Brad