Separating axle from intermediate shaft

[Batoutahell]

There must be a trick because no amount of prying and swearing has worked. I'm replacing the cv boots on the passenger rear axle, but I can't seem to get the axle separated from the intermediate shaft. There's just a c-clip holding it in, and the axle ought to pop right out, right? It seems a little ironic that I prevailed in an epic battle with the axle nut, only to be stopped now.

 

[KooLaid]

Yep, just a C clip. Just gotta pry at the right angle away from each bar that you use. Need a minimum of 2 obviously lol and decently spaced apart.

 

[C-speed]

Here's a tip.. use 2 large flat head screw drivers. Stick them in 180deg on each side of the axle and int shaft (where they meet). Hit them with a mallot evenly and it'll pop right out

 

[Larry Bastanza]

The key here is that you MUST remove the joint straight, if it cocks even slightly it will not budge. C-Speed has it right with the two large screwdrivers, since this pushes on both sides.

I use a large flat blade screwdriver with a large shank, I wedge it in on one side purposely to cock the joint to one side, then I use a good size crow bar opposite the screwdriver and pry firmly, it comes right off as soon as it is straight.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[Racerxjling]

As Larry B states in his DIY, use 2 large pry bars and even a crow bar w/ a block of wood to separate it. It will literally "pop" out but MUST be pryed out evenly. As for the axle nut, I didn't have any issues w/ my impact gun. JUST did this job..was more work than I thought it would be....learning curve is steep on this one. I could go back and literally do this job in half the time it took me.:frown:

Jeff

 

[Batoutahell]

Thanks everyone, prying at 2 points 180 degrees from each other did the trick. I would have given this a try, but I excel at trying to take shortcuts, and I hadn't removed the heat shield that was preventing me from getting the 2nd pry bar in position. After I removed the heat shield, I could get the 2nd pry bar in and the axle popped right out.

I cleaned out the cv joints and replaced both cv boots tonight, and now the axle is back on the car.

 

[amengineering]

The key here is that you MUST remove the joint straight, if it cocks even slightly it will not budge. C-Speed has it right with the two large screwdrivers, since this pushes on both sides.
-larry


If I remember correctly that goes for the way in too. I think the driver side is usually harder than the halfshaft, I spent a few hours swearing at transmissions in the past trying to get H22/B16 axels in. I have to do that same boot next week so hopefully it goes smoothly like yours. There definently seems to be more access than a civic but it will also be my first time taking this suspension apart. Have bilsteins going in too, can't wait.