[RESOLVED] AWD Front Axle Removal

[DSMboostin15]

So I'm trying to replace the front driverside axle on my AWD and I can't get the axle disconnected from the IM shaft. The CV boot is completly torn and when I disconnected the strut from the knuckle, the spider/axle came out of the torn boot and now I have the axle in two pieces - one hub and partial boot is stuck on the IM shaft and the other hub and axle is stuck in the knuckle. I can't remove the carrier bearing from the block because the exhaust is rust-welded together, so if I try and break all the bolts loose, something else is going to break and I don't have the money for my new exhaust at the moment. So I need some tips on trying to get the hub that's still connected to the IM shaft off and the other piece off that is still stuck on the knuckle. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[kris_stewart10]

cut it sorry man had to do it

but the only thing i can say is unbolt the hub and pull it out from there

and the carrier bearing uh.......... well just try and unbolt the exhaust i didnt think mine would unbolt but it did so just try it

 

[TrboANTsi]

Take a pry bar to the axle and bang it out from under the car with a hammer. Or a big screw driver or whatever hard flat thing you can find. Right where the axle meets the carrier shaft there is a spot you can bang on.

 

[DSMboostin15]

That's what I was thinking. I'll have to see what I have lying around my garage that I can use for a pry bar.

 

[solidviper89]

PB blaster chisels and big hammers should do the trick

 

[cougarelimin8or]

Soak it in a penetrating oil (wd-40, loosen it) over night, than go at it with a hammer and a punch. I had to do it to mine, it's a bi*** but it'll work its way out. good luck

 

[DSMboostin15]

At this point, I'm willing to give anything a try.

 

[nkosi]

Try wd-40 and let it sit overnite to soak and then use a pribar on the intermediate shaft ...if its been there a long time they can get corroded together and that makes it hard to remove..

 

[frankenstein406]

if anything a small torch works well

 

[need2boostpsi]

if anything a small torch works well

yes small torches work well on everything dsm related I have used a torch on ball joints, bushings, rear suspension sleeves, and rusted bolts! Torch FTW!

 

[gorf]

I just finished popping mine out. use a flat pry bar slip in between the carrier and the axle and pry it out

 

[DSMboostin15]

This may be a dumb question but is there some sort of retaining clip on the IM shaft that the axle clips on to like the passenger side axle that slides in the transmission?

 

[DSMboostin15]

Alright, I got the part of the axle that was stuck in the knuckle out and I unbolted the carrier bearing from the block, but now I'm trying to get the axle hub and broken boot off the IM shaft and I can't get it. Is there a retaining clip on the IM shaft that keeps it locked to the axle? I've tried locking the IM shaft in a vise and putting a prybar between carrier bearing and axle hub and prying on it, but the pry bar keeps slipping out and the hub won't budge. If anybody can give some insight, I would appreciate it because I'm at my wit's end.

 

[DSMboostin15]

So it has come to this. I need to get the CV hub off the IM shaft. It will not simply pry off, pull off, etc. I don't want to use a torch on it because it could potentially burn up the carrier bearing. I ask again because I know somebody has had to take the axle off the IM shaft before. Does this piece have to be pressed off the IM shaft? Here is a pic of what I'm talking about.

EDIT: I used an arbor press and stainless steel drift pin to punch through the cup and press out the IM shaft. I also found out that there is a circlip on the end of the IM shaft that helps hold it to the CV cup.

 

[DSMboostin15]

To those who may stumble across this in the future, I was able to put everything back together. I found that it is easier to install the IM shaft onto the CV axle BEFORE you put it in the car. Take care to note the amount that the stock CV hub was away from the carrier bearing. On another note, when installing the IM shaft onto the CV, you have to use a SOFT mallet to pound the end of the IM shaft onto the CV, not pounding on the end of the CV. This way you don't have to put added stress on the CV joints themselves. Once you have the axle assembly together, remove the strut as it gives more room to install the assembly.

 

[gorf]

To those who may stumble across this in the future, I was able to put everything back together. I found that it is easier to install the IM shaft onto the CV axle BEFORE you put it in the car. Take care to note the amount that the stock CV hub was away from the carrier bearing. On another note, when installing the IM shaft onto the CV, you have to use a SOFT mallet to pound the end of the IM shaft onto the CV, not pounding on the end of the CV. This way you don't have to put added stress on the CV joints themselves. Once you have the axle assembly together, remove the strut as it gives more room to install the assembly.

I also rub the splines with lithium grease before reassembly, it helps to prevent the axle shaft from getting stuck in the first place.

 

[DSMboostin15]

I used some anti-seize I had lying around.