Replace CV axle without press?

Hey all sorry if this was posted somewhere else but I have been searching for days and can't find it. I found a very nice writeup on replacing the cv axle in a second gen tacoma here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...e-replace-front-wheel-bearing-2nd-gen.189356/

In that thread they say you MUST have a machine shop press the spindle end of the CV back in for you. I have read other threads of people saying that the CV pops out so easily and does not require much pressure to press back in. So my question, is there any way to get the bearing back through the hub without a press and without hammering the outer boot?

I did watch a YouTube video where a guy was able to push the bearing just barely enough through the hub by hand and put on the axle nut and used an impact wrench to torque the nut, pulling the axle through. Has anyone used this method on a second gen tacoma successfully? I can't risk having it taken apart to find I can't put it back together.

And before you say just take it to a shop, it's not the first time I have ran through a CV, and if it's possible to do it myself I'll save a lot of money in the future.

Thank you for your input guys! Hopefully this helps someone else as well

 

Wheel bearing? Or CV?

 

My bad on the wording. I am talking about the end of the CV that sticks through the spindle and Hub. That thread says you need to machine press it but there has to be a manual way

 

No, you don't need to do that.

 

Is there a method to pull it through? Or does it slide in with minimal effort?

 

It should slide right out. Might need to give it a bit of force if it's rusty/dry.

That thread was talking about removing the bearing from the hub which is weird because all of the wheel bearings I've seen were complete assemblies making it an easy bolt on replacement.

 

I feel very dumb right now, I think I misunderstood the thread. So replacing the CV, does anything need to be pressed in? I guess that is my question

 

Should slide in/out easily. I had my whole hub/bearing assembly off the other day after I snapped a wheel stud off. if you ever find yourself doing studs on these, do yourself a favor and buy the oem studs. It took some serious pressure to get the dorman studs to seat. Oem studs knocked out way easier than I thought they would.... then I had to pound the new ones in on the bench.

 

No. you'll need a slide hammer.
It's possible to do without it, easier with it.

 

No.

Pull axle nut, push axle out of hub splines, get manly with it and yank it out of the diff.

Put new axle in diff, line up splines, push hard to snap it in past the clip, then insert into hub splines, put axle nut back on, tighten to proper torque.

I recommend around 9-10 ugga-duggas from your favorite quality 1/2" impact. Enjoy your new axle.

 

You don't need to press anything to change out a CV. The several times I've done it there is enough thread sticking out of the spindle to put the axle nut on and run it in with an impact wrench pulling the CV splines through the rest of the way.

 

Haha sadly I can relate. I had the same issue and eventually just stuck the wheel on and torqued the lugs.

 

This is a technical term, by the way.

 

I was actually looking for some at NAPA today because the Toyota studs barely stick out from my aftermarket rims allowing the lug only a few turns. Any recommendation? They found several around 2 inches (ideal length) but warned me of that problem

 

That's about as good as I can do, I'm all stock.

Wheel studs are too short! What to do....

 

Might be a long shot, but does anyone have experience with the napa brand cv axles? They claim they are completely the same as stock and remanufactured

 

Extended lugs!

 

I'm not sure how much I trust extended lugs seeing how much offroading I do and the fact I'll be abusing mid-travel

 

I replaced mine last year
heard the aftermarket ones arent that good
went to napa and had them order me a cardone axle, the cardone is a re manufactured toyo axle
worked fine till i sold the truck
there is a place on here where guys order there axles from that are said to be better- maybe someone knows the name

When you put the axle back in its easier if u line the clip up right cant remeber if its up or down

 

Get ET (extended thread) lug nuts.