help cv axles stuck in spindles

So im doing my clamshell swap to install my new 4.56 gears. I have everything off I should, tie rod ends, sway bar, lower a arm knuckle, and axle nut. I have been beating on the end of the axle and it wont budge. Any advice on how to get these axles out of the spindle?

 

It sounds like you disconnected the lower ball joint? Bolt it back up so the spindle is fully supported by both control arms and try it again. You may need to use a bigger BFH. I'm sure your already doing this but turn the nut around backwards and thread it most of the way on the axle shaft before you hit it.

 

I will try that. Man ive been beating the crap out of it now for like an hour and it wont budge. Arghh. Thanks for the reply

 

Thanks man that helped. I got one side out with a sledge. Although I messed up the threads on the axle from bashing it. Probably gonna have to get a new axle. It was a bear to undo the nut.

 

hm i barely had to pull the spindle to seperate spindle and cv

 

I wish dude, this has been epic!

 

Mine came off real easy. No hammers. 277,000 miles and 1st time since 1995.6 went I bought new.

 

Grab a knife file and start cleaning the threads

 

Yeah, it shouldnt have been so hard. I had wheel bearings replaced by the dealer under warranty, and I'm thinking either they didn't put grease on the splines or water got in or something. I just know it was super stuck.

 

file the threads!

 

On my 04, I unbolted the LBJ (4 bolts). Dicso the end links. Removed axle nut. It seemed like it didn't want to budge for a bit, but I lifted the spindle up, and the axle slid right out. The UCA pivoted up and voila. Both sides.

Use a dead blow hammer when you get rough with something. It's a plastic striking surface and won't damage threads. Also won't bounce back at ya and really puts a hit on something. Or use a block of wood.

 

I was going to send it to cvj, and they said they would clean up the threads, and polish the other end where the needle bearing scored it. Should be less than the price of a reman. I'll swap it back out and I'll have a spare for the trail, at least the drivers side anyway. Probably wouldn't hurt to buy a passenger side from cvj to have a spare for both sides.

 

I did all of that. My dead blow didn't have enough oomph to knock em loose. Trust me I'm 235lbs and was unleashing the fury and it was just not enough. Same with wood. It absorbed enough and was just denting in. I was able to get the passenger side out without damaging it. I think I just may have not hit the drivers side square and it dented the corner of the threads. I greased em up good this time so we will see next time they have to come out.

 

I've never changed an axle on a 2nd gen, but on my 99 if I needed to drop the diff but didn't need to change an axle I would just leave the spindle side of the CV in the spindle.
Once you have the LBJ un-bolted from the spindle, pop the CV out of the diff and swing the spindle/ axle out and away so you can drop the diff.
Never had a problem doing it that way.

I had manual hubs on IFS so it was more of a bitch to remove the CV than simply pulling one axle nut.

 

Wow... Sorry for the troubles man. That sounds like a PITA! If a dead blow with your 235 behind it didn't do it...

CVJ supplied my half shafts, they have great customer service.

 

Thanks man, it was tough but I finally got it done.