How do I remove this axle?

Can you see what brand of hub that is? Might be written on the hub shell.

Probably just pull the end caps off and then pull the freehub off.

Its a hope hub

I thought the silver cap on the end of the freehub would just pull off or unscrew.

It moves around easily but doesn't unscrew.

I tried pulling it but it didnt feel like it was going to go - don't want to cause damage thats going to cost me to fix.

Is it listed here?

https://www.hopetech.com/product-documents/hubs/

If it's s hope hub then they do just pull off. But they can be quite reluctant.

Yes, that will just pull off.

In the Hope YouTube videos where they do it with a shiny new one they just come off by hand , in real life after being ridden for years they come off with molgrips and a lot of swearing.

If you can get one off you can usually tap the other one out from behind

Its an 11-02-xc hub

relapsed - thanks for the link

oldnpastit - you've got it.

Just found a really grainy video on youtube too, from 14 years ago showing that the caps do need to be prised off.

Will have a bash tomorrow

Thanks again

Thanks to you too for replying andrewh

11-02 is the date it was made, November 2002, XC is the model. Might be useful if you're looking for new bearings, although the number should be printed on them. Hope use a common size, I forget what off the top of my head, generic ones fit fine. They are press in/out too, can be pushed out from behind if you can get the caps off, no need for a puller, and the new ones tapped in with a socket and mallet, or pressed in with a vice if you don't have a press.

On the freehub end, take a couple of pedros(or other brand) tyre levers, one each side and lever it off

It will usually lift a little bit first time, reset the levers and try to get it to lift further. It should then pull off.

Inside the spacer is a little O-ring, this is usually what holds it on tightly.

Then wrap a cloth around the freehub, as the pawls are on the older type springs and can cause the pawls to fly out.

Remove freehub

Holding the hub best you can, use a wooden or rubber mallet(ie the bearing filled type) and give the end of the axle as many wallops as is required to drive the axle out the non drive side side, which will take the bearing out with it.

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Removing the two bearings out the freehub can be a bit trickier, and theres usually a spacer and a large circlip that requires circlip pliers to be removed first to get the innermost bearing out.

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What i normally do from there is  drill a hole through a piece of wood wide enough for the axle to fit through so the non drive side bearing and spacer rests against the wood.

Take mallet or rubber hammer and wallop the little end projection on the on drive side spacer as this then pushed the bearing and spacer off

Next, take the now blank axle and put it through the hub till it slides onto the internal drive side bearing.

Back to the walloping 😀 and this will remove the drive side bearing out the hub, leaving it on the axle

Next back to the wood and repeat - put axle through hole and give it a wallop and this will remove that bearing.

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You are now left with a blank hub, an axle, 2 bearings, and 2 spacers ready to replace with new ones.

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When it comes to replacing it all you are best buying the Hope bearing drift things(Called a 'Bearing support bush'- they cost about 8-10 quid a pop, and he hub/bearing support tool/rest- called a 'nylon wheel support bush'

I've always had a thing about Hope stuff and must have serviced well over a couple of hundred hubs. The above method is what I find works best. It takes me a minute or two to strip a hub completely im so used to doing it.

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I bought this ages ago, and it works exactly as it should. Though i've only used Hope, so its handy for me. individual bearing supports are dependent on the hub - bulb, ti-glide,pro2, 4 etc

https://www.biketart.com/products/hope-complete-set-of-bearing-tools?variant=40809527050419

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EDIT: As you've said its XC, ill take a look and direct you to the exact bushings you need.

Obviously this is a complete kit for the one hub, but you can buy the tools as separates which can be a bit cheaper., but in all honesty, the hub kit is better economically.

The nylon support though is a must. Saves the hub getting damaged as you fit the new bearings

Update

You're in luck - The XC only used a 6001 2rs bearing so this is the only bearing support you need

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364571993716?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338268676&toolid=10044&customid=EAIaIQobChMIxqiQ57mxhgMV8JpQBh3TVABOEAQYASABEgLi1vD_BwE

+ the nylon support tool

This exploded diagram will help you with reassembly

HOPETECH.COM "https://www.hopetech.com/_repository/1/documents/XCRearHubExploded.pdf"

Thanks for that info Andrew and Dyna - much appreciated