2017 Tacoma Difficult Time Removing CV Axle

I could not free the driver side CV axle from the differential using a large screw driver and hammer. I drove the screw driver into edge of the indentations facing outward (picture 1). I then used a slide hammer with the gripper and placed it between a steel collar and the large body at the end of the cv axle. Still could not free the axle and I created a large gap. Am I placing the grip and of the slide hammer in the wrong place? Appreciate any tips to get the axle out.

 

Try rotating the axel a bit and try again. Keep rotating, trying different positions until you find the sweet spot.

 

Thank.By the way, do I have the grip in the right place? I want to swap out the needle bearing for the ECGS clamshell bearing.

 

Never used the slide hammer technique. Always used a long prybar on the back edge(not the indent) and hammered it out.

 

Take the inner boot off then disassemble the inner joint, this will get the side load off the splines and it’ll pop right out.

A second person can accomplish the same thing.

 

I used a pry bar on the inner edge to put pressure on the c clip, then used the screwdriver hammer technique to pop the splines loose from the clip. 2 person job for me. Also try to keep the inner straight so there isn't a side load. You have to pop the clip out of the groove in the splines.

 

You need at least a 2 foot crowbar, striker style even better, with a 2 lb sledge. One or 2 good shots in that groove should pop it out.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-arb-air-locker-diy-install-thread.692979/#post-24487455

See step 4. You need a solid blow into the cv to get past the snap ring. The more inline the blow the better. There also sometimes is a sweet spot if you rotate it.

 

What’s confusing? This is literally how I always do CV’s, couldn’t be more simple.
Once you get rid of the weight hanging off the transmission side it takes almost no force to pop it out. It’s the odd weight that misaligns the splines and makes them not want to release.

I don’t know how to explain it any more clearly:
remove the inner boot
Disassemble the inner joint (i.e. pull it apart)
Lightly pry with a screw driver and it will pop it out.
The whole job is a 20 minute ordeal.

 

Never heard it being done that way. Just seems like extra work to me. To each their own.

 

Yeah me neither. Also, need to reclamp the cv joint which means you need to have the tool and the clamp before hand to seal the boot assuming you want to do it right and not just use a worm screw clamp.

 

I've always just wrapped a bungee around the hanging side and attached somewhere in the fender/frame. Same effect. Takes the hanging weight off the opposite end. Better than having to disassemble in my opinion. Few whacks with a bfh and a punch and she pops right out everytime

 

The tool to reclamp the boot is a small screwdriver. Don’t even need a new clamp if you’re careful. I’ve done this time and time again as a trail-side repair. At home in the garage it’s cake.

Here I am rebuilding the inner CV on the side of the trail on a girls truck just recently. The original band clamp was reused and everything done legit, with only limited tools, right there in the middle of the woods. Literally backed her down the trail to the forest service road and did it right there.

I swear some of you turd gen guys are babies when it comes to working on vehicles…

 

LOL your the only one I've seen do it this way. Come on it's just easier to knock out the CV with a crowbar or drift and a hammer. Just using a small screwdriver to do what exactly? Explain this to this turd gen baby that's been working on vehicles for 40 years.

 

When I knocked mine out, I still had the knuckle attached so it supported the outer axle and shaft. Then using a knock through ply bar with a bit of a curve and a 2lbs sledge, I knocked into the slot with as straight a blow as I could get, towards the outside of the axle. I found not preloading the clip and letting it relax before I hit, did the trick. 2 firm blows and it was out. Who knows if relaxing the clip worked or I got luck and it was in the sweet spot... the key here is to make sure your hit is as inline with the axle as possible. You will not get it out hitting that notch at a 45° angle...

 

I think this is the confusing part. A second person can accomplish the same thing.

 

"The tool to reclamp the boot is a small screwdriver. Don’t even need a new clamp if you’re careful."

 

Again, how is the small srewdriver used? To pry the boot over the lip of the CV? Here's the only 2 tools I've ever used depending on what kind of band you use. Sorry. not reusing the same clamp if your prying on it or undoing it, especially with a lift which pulls on the boot.

Prokomon CV Boot Clamp Pliers; Ear Boot Tie Pliers; Cv Boot Clamp Tool; Cv Boot Banding Tool; Cv Joint Plier with 3 Pair Clamps

https://www.amazon.com/SINKEE-Clamp...nt=&hvlocphy=200504&hvtargid=pla-942433324947

Seriously just want to know to judge for myself if it's easier and just as secure. Always looking to learn new things.