The bearings are knackered in my HTII bottom bracket, so I was going to put some new ones in. Done this quite a few times before without problems. This time, after taking the non drive side crank off the axle just wouldn't push out, I gave a few hard whacks with a mallet and it still wouldn't shift.

I can't figure out what's holding it in. The only thing I can think of doing next is hitting it harder, anyone got a more scientific aproach?

Cheers

John

hitting it harder

yep.

protect the end with something if you are using a metal hammer

If you can, pick up the frame & bang the axle end on something solid (but not rock hard) while still holding the frame – so you know no other bits of frame/kit are taking any knocks