Should it be difficult to get a CV axle into the differential?

I have an 2001 model Tacoma and I'm having to replace my passenger side CV axle. When I get it pushed into the differential, it's like something is stopping it from going all the way in to where it's flush. (I'm left w/ a gap approximately 2 inches wide) This being the 1st time I've ever replaced a CV axle, I haven't put a lot of muscle into forcing it the rest of the way in but a guy told me he's had to beat them in with a 2 lb. hammer before....is this normal? Or should it slide all the way in flush with ease? Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks!

 

I did both mine last weekend for the first time. It's the little keeper ring (don't know what to call it) on the shaft that it hangs up on going into the diff. Assuming your splines are lined up it still takes a bit of force to get past that, as that's what holds it in too. I used the CV as a slide hammer basically tapping it in, and then used a long pry bar on the lip of the CV and tapped it in with a mallet. Don't use a ton of force, just tap it in

 

I was told that if you keep the opening of the expansion ring at 12 o'clock they go in and come out easy. I have yet to try this. I asked the guy how do you know it is at 12 o'clock when trying to remove the axle and all he said was "it comes out". I took this to mean that if it doesn't pop out easy, rotate the axle a little and try again.

 

No it's the 6 O'clock position. A nice layer of wheel bearing grease will keep it from moving around. Again, that's with the gap in the c-clip facing directly towards the ground. A little persuasion, it'll pop right in.

 

To install I usually push it in as far and as straight as possible and hold it, then smack it a few times with a dead blow. Works everytime

 

This.

Use the CV joint as a “slide hammer” - this is exactly how I got my joints in the differential seated. Grab it by the U-Joint and slam it forward mimicking a slide hammer.

 

Stole the tip from you and regurgitated it here

 

No kidding, haha. Have you tried it beforehand? It is surprisingly effective.

 

No I used it to seat them on mine, but after doing that a half dozen times per side I still had a gap. So I just put a pry bar on the lip and gave it a few hits. Really doesn't take much force, just a difficult thing to apply force to properly

 

I stand corrected. Thank you

 

Yep. Same here. That method worked for me.

 

When I replaced both of mine, I used a large rubber mallet on the end of the cv shaft to tap it into the differential until it sat flush with the seals. It shouldn't take a massive amount of force to get it into place.

 

I just do what i do to the wife. Jam it in. No lube needed




Make sure the splines are lined up tho

 

Hmm, this makes me think:

I had to pull my replacement cv a second time and it was much harder than the first go round. Keeping this in mind for next time

 

This plus a little on the splines and I have been able to get them in without even needing a hammer/mallet

 

you can just give it a good push when its lined up and it will go right in. getting out will need a crowbar and a good angle to pry but pops right out.