I tried to do something similar last week. I got the wheels off the drive axle OK, much as you've described, but what I don't understand is how you got the front axle out.
When I look at mine it appears the disc-shaped knobs on each end are integral with the axle. Do these come off somehow to let you pull the axle out through the black housing? I'll go and have another look at it.
This the Original Thomas I'm talking about now.
EDIT. Now I understand, at least in part. I assumed it was one axle in the front with a knob on each end, but you can turn one end while the other stays still, which of course explains why you said "short axles". I would however still like to know how you managed to get them out, because a bit of judicious pulling and twisting doesn't seem to be having much effect. Do I just need to apply more muscle?
When I look at mine it appears the disc-shaped knobs on each end are integral with the axle. Do these come off somehow to let you pull the axle out through the black housing? I'll go and have another look at it.
This the Original Thomas I'm talking about now.
EDIT. Now I understand, at least in part. I assumed it was one axle in the front with a knob on each end, but you can turn one end while the other stays still, which of course explains why you said "short axles". I would however still like to know how you managed to get them out, because a bit of judicious pulling and twisting doesn't seem to be having much effect. Do I just need to apply more muscle?