Hi I have a 1984 Trek 560 that I am “refreshing.” There seems to be something inside the hole through the axle preventing me from inserting the quick release skewer through it. When I took the bike apart several years ago I removed the skewer from the wheel so I know it was clean at some point. I recently remove the axle from the hub to clean and grease the bearings. I didn’t see any cracks in the axle suggesting it might be broken.

i have tried to insert a screwdriver into the axle hole to remove the obstruction. It moved partway but then became “.stuck” and wouldn’t move further with tapping from a rubber mallet.

Questions:

1. Whatever is stuck in there is lodged pretty well. I soaked with penetrating oil and no luck. Could i attempt to use an electric drill to drill out whatever is stuck in there?

2. If I can’t remove it i will need to buy a new axle. The nuts, washers and cones can be transferred to the new axle. However where can I find a French threaded rear axle that might fit? I want to use the existing cones because the hub uses 5/32 bearings and most replacement helicomatic axles use 1/4 bearings. So I would like to just buy a French threaded axle. Do you know where I could find one?

Thanks everyone!