C5 Axle Removal
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
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C5 Axle Removal
I've got a rumbling CV joint and have purchased a new axle. When I went to remove the A-arm I successfully removed the nuts and the shock absorber but was unable to get the A-arm off. I noticed the studs on the A-arm take an allen wrench. How do I get this A-arm off or is there an easier way to remove the rear axle? Thanks for any suggestions
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
The allen wrench is just there to keep the ball joint from spinning while you loosen the nut, if you place a floor jack under the A-Arm and jack it up then once it gets close to where the normal ride height would be you will remove all the load and it should seperate, are you trying to remove the upper or lower?
The reason I ask is I'm getting ready to do this and I noticed the service manual says to remove the lower ball joint and the spring
which is crazy, what I plan on doing is seperating the upper A-Arm from the spindle, removing the brake caliper and the tie rod end then pop the axle out of the diff (which is what I did to remove the suspension the last 2 times) and then remove the nut and pull the axle out.
BTW- what size is that nut 33 or 34 mm?
The reason I ask is I'm getting ready to do this and I noticed the service manual says to remove the lower ball joint and the spring
which is crazy, what I plan on doing is seperating the upper A-Arm from the spindle, removing the brake caliper and the tie rod end then pop the axle out of the diff (which is what I did to remove the suspension the last 2 times) and then remove the nut and pull the axle out.BTW- what size is that nut 33 or 34 mm?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
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I just bought the socket and I am 90% sure it was a 33mm. It came in a package labeled something like GM axle socket. You need a fairly deep one. The nuts came off easily off the A-arm, the allen wrench was not necessary. I took both the top and bottom off but I couldn't get the A-arm bolts to even budge after I had the nuts off. You are right, it must have been a weight thing although I tried the jack at many different heights and that didn't seem to help. I think I'll give it one more try before bringing it in. The axle should pull right off after the A-arm is off...at least the upper A-arm. Thanks for the response.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Those ball joints are seated pretty tight, I say put a jack under the A-arm and raise it 4 or 5 inches and then pry the upper A-arm off the spindle, like I said it's seated pretty tight but once you unload the tension it will come off.
