Need Help. Removing Driver Side CV Axle!

Removing my CVs so I can drop the diff and have the shop install ARB and gears.

I pulled the passenger side OK, after applying a drift to the notches on the inside CV axle and wailing on that thing with the BFH like a muthafucka.

But the driver side has a worse access angle. Because of the diff itself, I can only get my drift in there at a 45 degree angle, and the angle to swing the hammer through is worse, as well. So a swung (swang?) for all I was worth, but the splines on the driver side CV remain firmly stuck within their home.

I tried prying with a crowbar, but couldn't really get good purchase to get an effective pull.

Advice? Helpful tips?

I'm thinking I may purchase an electric impact hammer.

 

monday morning bump. I know quite a few TWers have pulled CV axles....

 

When I put my ARB in and pulled the CV's I used two long curve blade pry bars. Using a drift didnt work out for me but levering with two of these bars makes it simple. like these:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00943288000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

I usually replace the c-clips after I take them out - they are pretty cheap at the dealer.

Who is doing the gears? What gears did you go with?

 

I'm taking the thirds to Rear End Specialties in Santa Clara. They also did JBerry's gears for him. Without turning this into a "gear selection" thread - I got Nitro 4.88s. 4.56 seems to be a good choice for V6, 4.88 for 4 banger.

Back on topic: what/where did you use as a fulcrum for the prybars? There's a big bolt on the diff itself rearward that I can see using 1 at - I tried the crowbar there. Where's the second?

 

Also, I see you can "hammer" on those bars - did you pry with them, or place them and hammer on them?

 

Every time I've pulled one, a bigass prybar, multiple attempts at multiple angles, and some "gentle" taps with a 2.5lb sledge (as gentle as you can be) have gotten them out.

I'd say keep trying, vary your angle of attack.

 

I usually use just one. I have had my front diff out twice and my CV's off a lot so hard to explain by typing - I wish I was closer to SJ I would swing by.

I use the bar to pry and you can also hit them with a hammer - sometimes hitting it just right it pops it right out.

 

crowbar and a rubber mallet on the hammer. the cclip is a bitch to center.

ive taken off my passenger side one time, and my ddriver side three times.

i feel your pain.

 

Try to get two prybars in there and pry with them at the same time. This is how i have always done mine, never needed to use a hammer. Granted, I do have a 1st gen but there cant be that big of a difference.

 

Gotcha

Good luck man.

 

I use this on mine with a shorty BFH 1 or 2 good whacks and it's out

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

TW Comes Through!

Stopped at sears on the way home and picked up Wicked's prybars and a 4lb short handle engineer's hammer. (I'd been using a 40 oz long handle as my BFH)

Selected the middle length prybar

Place it alongside the diff and up against the grooves on the axle



Fewer than 10 whacks, and this is the result:



Yes! Yes! Yes!

Rep for everyone.

 

Good deal, just for future reference. I used some tire spoons as the pry bars I had on hand weren't working out. I just placed them between the axle and the housing and popped em out. Like sort of against the dust seal, more against the lip of the tube though.

 

Glad you got it out. And yeah, they rarely come out easy. Have fun diff swappin! Hopin to do some of that myself soon!

 

Awesome! Glad it worked out.

 

flip side - any tips on reinsertion? I've been at it for almost an hour now...

 

Grease the splines to keep c-clip centered. take off spindle, as the shaft absolutly has to be put on centered, cause if you try and wrestle it around the spindle you will bump cclip and throw off everything