Can't get new CV axle in

[viggen337]

Well, I decided to finally tackle my CV axles today, and after having an awful time getting the old one out on the drivers side with a pry bar, I finally just ripped the inner joint in half and pulled the end out of the differential with a slide hammer.

The problem I am having now is that I cannot get the new one in all the way. This is where it is sitting at the moment:



I made sure that the opening of the clip is facing up, but no matter how hard I hit it with the pry bar, it will not move past this point.

Anybody have tips or ideas?

 

[viggen337]

Wait a minute, the write-up that I followed said to put the opening of the clip facing up, but another one that I just read, which appears to be quoting the factory service manual, says to put the opening facing down.

:wtf:

I'm going to go back outside and flip it over and see what happens...

 

[viggen337]

I put the opening of the clip facing down, and that worked like a charm.

Hopefully now I can get the passenger side done before dark.

 

[zopperman]

Any chance you have a link to the write up?

 

[viggen337]

Any chance you have a link to the write up?

Yeah, I was following this one since it was easy to print out and put in the truck while I worked:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/101038-how-install-new-cv-axles.html#post914207

The rest of the write up was fantastic, and it saved me a lot of time by skipping some of the steps that I read in the others, it was just that detail about the clip that got me stuck.

 

[Runner’sRunner]

Hi all. I’m new to the forum. I’m replacing both CV axles in my badly rusted 08 Limited that had close to 180k on it and noticed a discrepancy inside the differential. The driver side seems to have a smooth metal shaft lying horizontally inside (see pic), while the passenger side is just an empty housing. Is this by design or am I dealing with a larger issue? Also, does the opening on the c clip need to be stationed up or down?. I’ve seen it suggested both ways in different forums. Thanks!

 

[bob3dsf]

Woah, it's aliiive!

Hard to tell what that it. It's kind of blurry. did you do anything after you got the axle out?

But the C-clip, it needs to face DOWN.

When you're inserting the axle get it started in the diff and push until it stops (that C-clip is stopping it because of the slightly out of round shape). Hold the inward pressure and tap it in using the axle itself. The tripod assembly of the inner joint has some flex in the inner housing/boot. You're tapping it in with the tripod, but it doesn't take much force if you keep hold of the axle. You'll feel it when it seats and hear the difference in sound. It's super easy.

If you try to use a hammer and drift to drive it in using the flat sections of the inner housing (the way you get it out), it'll take forever. The hammer strikes just cause it to bounce and then gravity will make it try to fall out.

Watch this, install at 2:33
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHY1rpRD11g

 

[Runner’sRunner]

Thanks

This is the best I can do

 

[Hi-desertT4R]

This is the best I can do

Are you inquiring about the roller bearing (yellow) in the driver side behind the seal or the cross pin (red) in the center?

The roller bearing inside the diff is what the axle rides on and is only on the left. The cross pin holds the differential together and what I think you’re asking about. The passenger side is longer and has the ADD inside so you aren’t be able to see all the way through unless the tube is removed from the clamshell housing.

I really struggled getting my left axle to seat and ended up having to reboot it anyways. I used a dead blow hammer to seat the inner then replaced the rest of the axle with a new boot. I read c-clip opening down. Idk if it helped or not. Next time I’ll reshape the c-clip a little bit I think.

 

[Runner’sRunner]

Honestly I don’t know what it’s called. Crosspin sounds right. This is The first time I’ve ever looked in a differential in my whole life, so thank you for responding. I just wanted to make sure everything that I was seeing is supposed to be there. You can imagine how disconcerting it was to not see the same thing in the passenger side

 

[Hi-desertT4R]

Honestly I don’t know what it’s called. Crosspin sounds right. This is The first time I’ve ever looked in a differential in my whole life, so thank you for responding. I just wanted to make sure everything that I was seeing is supposed to be there. You can imagine how disconcerting it was to not see the same thing in the passenger side

I’m no expert but hope that helps. FYI the roller bearing can be a potential issue if you lift your truck and run bigger tires. It can be replaced with a solid bushing sold by Wast Coast Gear Supply=ECGS.

 

[Runner’sRunner]

Thanks everyone!