CV Axle Replacement ... express method!!

The clip is either distorted or it’s moving prior to install, if it faces open side down it will pop in with little effort.

 

Well it’s done! My mechanic friend came by and as I started explaining my ordeal with him- he knelt down grabbed the cv and on the the very “FIRST” try slid it in like butter!! I nearly had a fuckin’ meltdown!!
I was ready to smack the thing with a hammer. I guess there is a sweet spot and he just so luckily got it or I’m just an asshat lol. Thanks for your time gents.

 

I spent 4 days on and off trying to find that sweet spot and finesse the stupid axle in. Toyota raised the price of the axle to $500 and I REALLY didn’t want to do something to mess it up. I think I watched every video and read every forum related to the dang thing. C clip down, lube, screwdriver and hammer on the divets…no joy. I was ready to light the dang thing on fire. Finally called my mechanic dad and he said to “use a bigger hammer.” Which is honestly his advice for most things. Haha

Anyway, got a 3 foot pry bar and an 8 lb sledge. Set the pry bar in the divots on the housing and 3 taps later the axle was seated. Super easy.

 

Replaced my axels this AM. This worked like a charm. 07 tacoma. Glad I ran across this..

 

Best way to do it. Just swapped them out today.

No need to remove tie rod end, and sway bar link. Just the two 19 mm on the knuckle.

 

25 mins for everything but removing the axle itself. Took me like two hours to do that, lol.

 

I'm sure its been said stock cv axles way better than most you can get... I got the stock boot kit and put those on my stock axles and never looked back so far. did the boot slide mod and my bands holding the boots on kept sliding off so got some good quality radiator clamps and tightened them till I thought they were going to break... still holding fine after couple years.

 

Old thread, but OP's steps worked fine for me. No need to disconnect tie-rods. It was a bit tricky to do it alone, lifted the knuckle, flipped it as much as I could (careful with ABS + brake cables as well as rear knuckle seal) and gently put the CV on the side on a jackstand as strait to it's entry point in the differential as possible, and added another jackstand under the knuckle. I would highly recommend being two for this. A few good taps with a chisel and hammer on the CV notch near the differential and it popped out easily. Same procedure to put the new one in. I replaced both CV axels and seals, as well as installed the ECGS bushing. After 150K miles with a few 10K miles on washboard laden gravel roads, I had A LOT of slop in my CV's. Not any more!

 

i read this whole thread and dread having to do this on a trail let alone my garage. mechanic did mine with warranty aftermaket on my 4runner a few times when i had torn boot. but i want to try it someday. need a second vehicle if economy ever improves

 

Put a cv in 2 weeks ago
Took 41/2 hrs
I’ve done it before but never had to cut out the sway bar links
Even after cutting both sides had trouble gettin piece out from sway bar
Lucky for me auto zone had the end in stock
Cv not leaking but boot ribs are rubbing wearing them down
Wanted to change before it leaked and was middle of winter
I have to try the boot slide mod
Anyone ever do that?

 

I have done this so many times. It takes 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on location and how recently it was done. If possible give yourself time for it to take longer, and if it is fighting you go have a cupa and a snack and come back.

 

In case anyone is looking for this in 2025...
Lug nuts
Wheel
Dust cap
Axle nut
2 LCA bolts
Cv shaft
Reinstall reverse order. Ez pz. Don't over think it.