Tips and help with axle removal

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TLC Dan

TLC Dan

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
May 14, 2010
Threads
54
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384
Hello Mudmates,

My son (halfway thru his ase certs as a mechanic) is working on removing the front axle (drivers side) to do a reboot. He is having trouble removing the axle from the diff. I arrived home late from work and was unable to assist him. What is the trick to get the axle out? steer wheel turned left or right, suspension at full droop or compressed? we copied the FAQ on the job, are going thru the steps but could use a little guidance. This is a daily driver for the family and i need to get this figured out.......

TIA

TLC Dan
 
You need to separate a ball joint to get enough movement from the knuckle.
 
1) remove dust cap and snap ring from CV
2) Pop upper and lower BJ support the lower control arm...remember, the t-bar is still attached and will spring downward. The OEM jack works perfectly to control the suspension. I like to raise the suspension to ride height to pop the BJ. Keeps things straight and not bound up
3) Remove CV joint from knuckle and swing out of the way
4) Firm tug should release the CV from diff.

Notes...you can remove the CV without the lower ball joint, however you have to tug and pull things hard. I prefer to take my time and remove the stuff for a simple and clean removal and no prying is needed.
 
I changed my passenger side CV axle last Saturday. There is a lip on the actual CV axle housing by the diff that you can use to hammer on with a brass drift. That did it for me. The wheel was pointed straight and I had the upper ball joint separated. I got the axle out but couldn't figure out how to put the new one in without separating the lower joint. Which I ended up doing. It would have made removing the axle easier too.
 
All my OEM cv swaps were without issue, including removal every time (lost track...but many). As a data point the only cv unit that was stubborn to near impossible (I destroyed the POS getting it out) was years ago with a failing NAPA cv unit. Apart from the obvious shortcoming(s) of aftermarket cvs..they must have used well worn (or hecho chinese :D) micrometers...because the diff side splines and shaft were slightly larger OD than my OEM Toyota units. Live & learn!
 
Out of the four I have done, three needed just a small pry bar and popped out pretty easily. The fourth was really difficult and needed a two foot heavy pry bar to break free. The housings for the diff and CV are very stout for prying.
 
I remember there was a ring around the axle where i was able to put a block of wood to be used as a drift and by hitting it outboard with a mallet, the axle was able to separate from the diff.
 
thanks guys got it out. Now trying to disassemble the CV.....
 
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