[Air and water do mix]

That's great to see. I always wished I could find an old Studebaker for dad, as he bought a new '48 after he got out of the Navy in WWII, but by the time I could afford one they were all gone.

I'm sorry your mother is going through it, but you have your priorities straight. Nothing is more important than family and friends. ❤

 

[Air and water do mix]

That’s good progress, but you’re right. There must be some way to get that axle out. Is it a matter of dropping the subframe?

People think that they purposely make cars difficult to service so that you’ll “take them to the dealer”. I don’t think that’s the case at all. I think serviceability is bare
y considered in the design! It’s all a bout the cost of assembly.

 

[Air and water do mix]

Without looking at it in 3D it's tough to guess, but I tend to think it must be an issue of either the subframe or as Karl says, dropping or raising the transaxle a bit to clear whatever it's hitting. Neither makes the job fun, but isn't the end of the world, either.

A good penetrant is your friend. And "good penetrant" never means "WD40". Ever.