help! cv, front differential problem

OK, I bought a 2004 tacoma 4x4 last week and it was hammered! The front differential was leaking gear oil like the deepwater horizon so I figured i'd pull the front axle off and change the leaky seal. The first bit was pretty simple, took off the tire, brakes, rotor, dust cover, cotter pin, axle bolt, pulled off the upper control arm... and the axle came right out. However I am stuck trying to get the cv housing off the differential.

the seal I'm trying to get to is between the cv housing and the differential on the drivers side, but can't get the last bit off. If there is a c clip or something i just cant find it.

I will post a couple pictures of what Im trying to get off if I have the wrong name.

 

welcome to tw.

use a big flat head screwdriver...or a good stout flat end pry bar and pop it outta there. go behind the flat spot on the stuck piece...between it and the diff.

 

I pounded a punch in there and wrenched on that but it wouldn't give, i figured there was a clip or something, i guess i'll need to cheater up on it. Thanks a bunch guys this gives me confidence to really wrench on it.

also another thing i found really weird, the cv house spins freely i can turn it with my hand even when the transfer case was in 4 low, is this normal? i thought it was a constant velocity axle and thus would be locked if the transfer case was engaged. the passenger side is locked, but maybe only because the tire is still on the ground?

it could be possible something is broken in the differential if this is not normal. i just bought the truck and never put the four wheel to the test.

thank you so much!

 

Yep, just like the others said, just put in a large screwdriver or pry bar between the cv housing and the diff and give it a good wack. The c-clip that holds it in is actually inside and is basically just a friction clip. A good pop on it should cause it to come right out.

As far as the one side turning freely, its an open diff, not a locked diff, so I believe what you're experiencing is normal. You'd have to install a locker to make both front wheels spin (or not spin) at the same rate.