Help: CV Axle Won't Go In!

I cant feel shit. My hands are numb from hammering on this for 3 hours..

Was there supposed to be a noticeable click into place?

 

Not really... You just sort of know that it goes in all the way because once you get past the c clip it slides in easily as far in as its supposed to go.

The only other thing I can think would prevent it from going all the way in is if your axle seal isn't seated in all the way, but if you didn't replace the seal that shouldn't be an issue

 

Is there anyway to test that this is okay besides driving it? I'm scared I'll lose an axle while driving a ruin the wheel bearing.

Thank you all for the help. Im seriously questioning my wrenching abilities right now..

 

There's no click. It's either seated or not. Try it the other way. Gently pull on the inner cv cup and see if you can remove it. It should take a good bit of force to get it loose.

 

You can not lose the axle. The outer CV cup, shaft and CV nut are what hold the wheel to the spindle/hub.

 

You won't ruin the wheel bearing as long as the other end going into the hub is properly tightened down with the axle nut and torqued to 173 ft/lbs

You'll know if the axle isn't all the way in the diff if you see gear oil leaking out from the gap. But honestly it looks like it's far enough in to me. There's always a small gap there and there is always some wiggle play in the axle there.

 

Take the clip off the end of the inner joint and bend it in a bit

I use the axle shaft and outer joint as a slide hammer on the inner cup, worked first try on my Bros Jetta, my 4 runner, and my camry

 

It slid in smoothly up until where its shown in the pic. After that it feels like I ran into a brick wall. No movement inward whatsoever. I could have sworn they were flush with the diff when I removed them tho...

 

I'm asking you to try and remove it. If the c-clip is seated properly it will not just pull out easily. If there is resistance when you try and remove it your good.

 

They are never flush with the diff. There is always a gap

 

Here's a pic of mine... This is a normal gap

 

Yes, I've taken this in and out a bunch of times now. On the way out, there is a bit of resistance at first and then the CV will pop free. I simply pry on it and then it slides freely by hand.

On the way in it needs a little convincing with a mallet but goes in very smoothly until that point. Playing with the c-clip made this part very smooth.

 

To me that CV axle looks like it’s in all the way. You don’t want the dust seal to touch the differential housing. If your lower ball joint bolts line up with the holes then the CV axle is for sure all the way in.

 

That makes me feel so much better. Thank you @eon_blue

 

That's totally normal. Trust me. I have probably replaced more CV's then most. lol

 

Thank you all so much. Im going to continue on now that I've made a big deal out of nothing. Ill be back when things go horribly wrong.

I love this community, thank you.

 

Just check the gap after some driving, you'll probably see a little gear oil just from what got past the seal while you were changing the axle. But if you see a lot or can visible see it dripping out, then you probably need a new axle seal. You can usually replace a lot of CVs before needing a new seal but they do go bad eventually.

 

The seals are brand new and were installed by someone who actually knows what they're doing lol.

I did tear a cv boot somewhere in this whole process so it looks like I'll be doing this again soon. yay..

 

Been there done that, more than once lol

 

Thoughts on CVJ Axles? I have one from rockauto but it was damaged in shipping.. so i don't want to order another from them.