Help!! CV axle removal

Dudes (& dudettes where applicable), any tips on removing the left axle? This thing is the immovable object and I feel like I have come at it with the irresistible force.

So far I have pried with a giant pry bar and used a punch on the (very small/short) tabs - also tapped semi-aggressively on the heavy portion of the inner portion of the axle.

 

Those flat spots, you need to put something on like a chisel and tap it.

Turn your cv axle, and tap another end.

Rinse and repeat.

I dont know if this is true for 3rd Gens, but older models have a sort of "ring/clip" that pops into place. You're trying to knock that over to remove the cv axle hence why it takes a little force.

Once you get it off, make sure you check your cv axle to ensure that clip came off with it. If not, look inside where your cv axle goes and get it out with a magnet or something.

 

yes, been doing that - those are the tabs that I was speaking of. I’ll keep going. Maybe a bigger hammer!?

 

This is what you're fighting against -



Again, maybe...I don't know 3rd Gen Tacoma's.

 

Got it! Thanks! I had my son use the pry bar while I tapped - came right out.

 

Awesome, good to hear!

 

Glad you got it out.

I made a special tool I welded a chisel inside a piece of 3/4" black pipe works great.

Also good for popping bell housing loose.

 

Glad you got it out. Really hard hammer hits on the little notches with a 3.5 sledge. Keep rotating and hit hard AF again. That gets them out every time for me.

 

Little late, but glad you got it sorted. For future reference you can get yourself an axle puller which is basically a slide hammer. Your local auto shops should carry one of these in their tool rental program so you dont have to come out of pocket for it. You'll just drop a hold to rent it but you'll get it back when you return it. The slide hammer ensures you are hitting straight on and the forks should line up with those flat tangs on the inner part of the axle or thread onto the axle nut depending on what brand you get. There's always a proper tool for the job, it just takes some time to find a source. Best of luck on the next one.

-J