2G Passenger Axle removal

[kidmet]

So I have half of the axle stuck in the transmission. I tried prying on it, but nothing. I read something about hammering a screw driver into the axle, but it didn't describe much about this. I have a new axle to put in and this one is trash. HELP.

 

[cjridert1]

Take a flat head screw driver in (you dont want to mangle the seal) then just twist the screwdriver 90 degrees and it'll loosen right up - make sure the other end is unbound and ready to go so that you arent fighting against it.

** Hammering that driver in isnt necessary as I remember, just caress it in there

 

[crash89]

There is a C-clip that holds the cup in the transmission. You're going to need a pry bar or a larger screwdriver and pop it out..

 

[zack13277]

Stick a square shank screw driver inbetween the axle and trans and use a cresent wrench to turn the screw driver and it will pop right out.

 

[Slahm]

The last one I removed, after snapping it off while completing a rally stage, and beating it to death, needed TWO screwdrivers, one on each side, wiggling back and forth, then it popped loose. Good Luck!

 

[kidmet]

There is a C-clip that holds the cup in the transmission. You're going to need a pry bar or a larger screwdriver and pop it out..

Where do I insert the screw driver or pry bar? Top of the axle between the axle and tranny?

Is it difficult to put on the clip when I reinstall?

 

[cjridert1]

c-clip stays in place, dont worry about it.
Get under and the car and put something between the axle cup and the trans housing. If you need further directions, you're in trouble.

 

[bryanwheat]

You need to use a pry bar. Stick it between the trans case and axle cup and smack it out.

 

[zachakagoat]

I just dealt with this recently and a tip that I have is you have to pry quickly almost like you are popping it open, if you pry slowly the c clip doesn't pop out as easily. Also make sure you don't pull on the cv joint, pull on the actual green housing.

 

[kidmet]

I can get a screw driver in... I end up bending them. The cup is actually covered by the transmission housing a bit. I'll have to hit a tool store and see if they have anything better for this. I just spent an hour failing miserably. Jacked the car up, got under it, got a screw driver in. Had room for a pry bar, but because of the angle, it was too big to get into the housing and get the edge of the cup. I will try to get a thinner and smaller degree pry. Any other tips?

 

[rEclipserGST]

Only extra tip besides the ones already stated would be have a friend & use two pry bars. One from the top and the other friend have the bottom. Hand on the axle cup, jab the pry bar in, yank it in sync. It will have seemed oh so easy once you actually pop it out. Then you will examine it, realizing it takes just enough force to pop the axle out because of the c-clip.

I did this last week. Trust these guys advice. It seems vague, but it really is that simple.

 

[luv2rallye]

Pry axle out the first inch with a flat blade screwdriver between the inner CV housing (green thing) and tranny on each side of that housing 180* apart. Apply equal pressure on each side and it will pop out easily. Applying pressure on only 1 side doesn't always work. I fully agree with post #11.

 

[kidmet]

Day 2 of failure... Used screw driver and had someone with vice grips pulling... Looks like ill try pry at tomorrow.

 

[Rsawd95dsm]

Hit it with a rubber mallet as you try the screwdriver trick

 

[luv2rallye]

Here's what the c-clip looks like (goes in and stays in the slot on the driveshaft end). This is why you need equal force on opposite sides of the cv housing to compress it evenly. Do it right and it pops out easily with no damage. Doing only 1 side doesn't always work (it sometimes does and sometimes doesn't) and it may damage the c-clip.

 

[Mischif]

All you need to do is take a flat blade screw driver and put it between the axle cup and transmission. Then hammer the screw driver in, make sure to angle the screw driver so you dont hit the axle as the screw driver goes more inbetween cup and tranny. By the time the screw driver gets shaft deep the axle should of popped loose. If that doesn't work try a screw driver with a thicker shaft.

 

[viridionplague]

everyone says just stick something in there and pry.... sometimes it just doesnt work and i had the same problem. then the worlds best solution came to me

go buy one of these coupler clamps (just the clamp piece not the whole assembly and both clamps.)

http://articles.jeepforum.com/Thumbnails/911652spe8771003.jpg

put it around the axle shaft cup and use it as a pry point.

it will give you much much better pry spot even for large pry bars, and it should be super easy to get out.

 

[kraig milton]

Hello. If you have an automatic, take out the 4 bolts around the axle... I learned this the hard way. Take off the 4 bolts and the entire part mysteriously comes right out.

 

[kidmet]

replacing the rear main seal and now can't get the new one out, I'd be done if I didn't have these problems with the axles.

edit:

Got it. So just to add to this thread, got two screw drivers with slight bends at the end for using as a crow bar-ish. Well, if you use them backwards together it pops right out. Glad it was only a couple hours this time instead of a couple days/weeks like last time.

 

[pauleyman]

I dont know why this comes up from time to time. Ive done this countless times on lots of cars. If a quick pry doesnt get it a twist of a screwdriver does. I use a square shank screwdriver and a wrench. Never have I spent more than a minute on this task.

 

[boost97gst]

My half shafts(fwd) were practically welded in. Ended up having to use 2 pickle forks i think on both sides of the cup and it came right out. Big screwdriver wouldnt do it. had to go at it from both sides at the same time. It was still easy in retrospect

 

[c2ypt1c]

You need to use a pry bar. Stick it between the trans case and axle cup and smack it out.

+1 I've never had a problem doing it this way.

 

[bryanwheat]

I dont know why this comes up from time to time. Ive done this countless times on lots of cars. If a quick pry doesnt get it a twist of a screwdriver does. I use a square shank screwdriver and a wrench. Never have I spent more than a minute on this task.

Same here, easy easy task if you aren't being a pansy and put a little muscle into it.

 

[Dsmkauai]

Another tip when dealing with a stubborn axle. As your prying slowly rotate the axle/wheel you will eventually find the easy spot in the c-clip and the axle will pop right out. Oh and make sure to use some multi purpose grease on the splines and in the Hubs. This will help them go in and come out easier in the future. Also alittle grease around the seal helps so it goes around the axle properly and doesn't snag up.

 

[mikejsmith1985]

I know this thread is old but I’m just curious if anyone is using this method with success on axles that don’t have the flat spot in the cup like OEM axles did...