What's the trick to removing my CV axles

Rstewart · Aug 11, 2019

Pry bar for 30 minutes and rotated to different spots but No luck getting them out of my front diff.

I have it disconnected at the the wheel assy and it's swung out of the way.

Is there a trick to this that I'm missing? I'm probably guessing the problem stems from them being aftermarket CV axles...

radlynx · Aug 11, 2019

Rstewart said:
Pry bar for 30 minutes and rotated to different spots but No luck getting them out of my front diff.

I have it disconnected at the the wheel assy and it's swung out of the way.

Is there a trick to this that I'm missing? I'm probably guessing the problem stems from them being aftermarket CV axles...

Pry bar will not do it. You need a slide hammer.

txclimber · Aug 11, 2019

If you don't have a slide hammer you can also knock it out from the back side. There is a small flattened area that you can rest a punch (preferably brass). Hit that sucker with a 4 pound persuader a few times and it will pop right out.

earthrealm · Aug 11, 2019

what replacements are you going with?
rock auto now have cardone axles with hd boots for $65 apiece

Mpcuse1 · Aug 11, 2019

Check out this video.

YouTube

montijo505 · Aug 11, 2019

If you’re replacing it, grab the wheel side of it and use it like a slide hammer. A few GOOD TUGS will let it come out. There’s a c clip holding it in place that can be a pain in the ass.

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Rstewart · Aug 11, 2019

radlynx said:
Pry bar will not do it. You need a slide hammer.

That's my plan tomorrow, took a couple day off. It is HOT here in Bama

Rstewart · Aug 11, 2019

earthrealm said:
what replacements are you going with?
rock auto now have cardone axles with hd boots for $65 apiece

Not replacing them, just gotta get em outta the front diff so I can remove it.

I stated in another post that I hoped to do a write up on regearing the front, not gonna happen. Found a guy that knows them well, drop the diff, gears, and install kit off to him - $250

montijo505 · Aug 12, 2019

I’ve replaced more CV axles than I care to remember and have always used a pry bar. As long as it’s a big one with a curved end it’ll pop it out no worries. Just have to get between the actual lip of the cv axle and the differential. I can almost guarantee you thought you had it in there but it has a lip that you can’t really see. I’ll take a picture of a spare one I have in the garage in a minute and post it.

EDIT: ok this is what I mean. You were probably prying here, which gives no leverage. These notches can be used to pound on with a flat wide chisel or big flat head screwdriver and a small sledge, but that’s harder due to no room under the truck to swing.

If you can get the pry bar behind this lip, it’ll pop right out. Just be careful to not poke up in behind that lip too far as you’ll damage the differential oil seal. Use a pry bar that has a curve to it or a large flat head screwdriver and it’s cake.

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RonJR · Aug 12, 2019

Poor man's slide hammer:

Get yourself about 4 feet of 1/8 or 3/16 inch chain, the kind you'd use to put up a swing in your backyard for your kid, plus two carabiners.

Use the first carabiner to make a tight loop with the chain around the fat part of the CV shaft. Use the second carabiner to make a small
loop in the other end of the chain.

Insert your sledge hammer handle through the small loop and take a couple of swings. The CV shaft will pop right out.
Put something soft under the CV shaft to catch it when it falls out.

duffdog · Aug 12, 2019

I understand the problem with the prybar. They dont always work because they tend to jam the axle against the bearing at an angle and it won't come out.

This however, works amazing every time and its cheap

https://www.amazon.com/OEMTOOLS-27305-Axle-Popper-Fork/dp/B01N5SP368

GLP · Aug 14, 2019

I used a pickle fork as a wedge and pounded it in and the shaft popped out. For me getting the new one in was the harder part.

Keros · Aug 14, 2019

It took a few whacks with a big hammer and a big brass chisel, but it popped right out.

I certainly was nervous hitting that specific component really hard and even more nervous when it didn't move the first few hits. But I read it on the internet so it must be okay!

And eventually the shaft came out.

montijo505 · Aug 15, 2019

Keros said:
It took a few whacks with a big hammer and a big brass chisel, but it popped right out.

I certainly was nervous hitting that specific component really hard and even more nervous when it didn't move the first few hits. But I read it on the internet so it must be okay!

And eventually the shaft came out.

Trick is a BFH every time lol

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Nitrostangs · Dec 11, 2020

montijo505 said:
I’ve replaced more CV axles than I care to remember and have always used a pry bar. As long as it’s a big one with a curved end it’ll pop it out no worries. Just have to get between the actual lip of the cv axle and the differential. I can almost guarantee you thought you had it in there but it has a lip that you can’t really see. I’ll take a picture of a spare one I have in the garage in a minute and post it.

EDIT: ok this is what I mean. You were probably prying here, which gives no leverage. These notches can be used to pound on with a flat wide chisel or big flat head screwdriver and a small sledge, but that’s harder due to no room under the truck to swing. View attachment 341373

If you can get the pry bar behind this lip, it’ll pop right out. Just be careful to not poke up in behind that lip too far as you’ll damage the differential oil seal. Use a pry bar that has a curve to it or a large flat head screwdriver and it’s cake.View attachment 341374

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Ok so whats the trick on getting it back in? Any tips you can give on lining up the splines? I feel like once its seated in the splines it should slide in most of the way until the clip stops it.

I don't know, maybe I'm being to nice with it out of fear of wrecking something.

montijo505 · Dec 11, 2020

Nitrostangs said:
Ok so whats the trick on getting it back in? Any tips you can give on lining up the splines? I feel like once its seated in the splines it should slide in most of the way until the clip stops it.

I don't know, maybe I'm being to nice with it out of fear of wrecking something.

It only slides in a bit before that clip holds it up. I usually slide it in, rotate it until I can feel it's lined up and then use the outer joint as a slide hammer to shove it in. Has very little resistance on the way in, just hold the shaft and wheel side joint and give it a good tap/push it'll slide right in.

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What's the trick to removing my CV axles

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