What am I doing wrong ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 381
Likes: 3
What am I doing wrong ?
I accidentaly pulled the drivers side CV shaft out of the differential. Actually, the boot came off the last housing that goes into the differential. I have tried pulling the housing out with pliers, I've tried prying the housing out with a screwdriver. It doesn't seem to want to come out. Are you sure it isn't connected from inside the differential by bolts or something ?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: FT Bragg North Carolina
I accidentaly pulled the drivers side CV shaft out of the differential. Actually, the boot came off the last housing that goes into the differential. I have tried pulling the housing out with pliers, I've tried prying the housing out with a screwdriver. It doesn't seem to want to come out. Are you sure it isn't connected from inside the differential by bolts or something ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 381
Likes: 3
Well yes, sort of. The half shaft came out, except for the last metal housing that houses the bearings and race. The rubber boot slid off with the rest of the shaft, but that last housing is still in the differential housing, and I've tried tugging, and prying.
Am I making sense ?
Am I making sense ?
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: Newport News VA
Are you talking about the ball joint-- cause you might need the ball joint seperating tool you can rent from Autozone or Advance. it looks like a tuning fork.
Not quite sure what you are asking about. You need pics.
Not quite sure what you are asking about. You need pics.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,561
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From: Atlanta metro Ga.
It's not easy, but if you can get two decent length pry bars into the area, and pry both sides at the same time, that will help.
Sometimes prying one side will **** the shaft in the housing, and cause the c-clip to get a better bite, which is counter-productive.
Or if you can somehow pull from the end, as others have stated a sharp force works better than a steady one for this job.
These joints don't have a retention mechanism because it is un-necessary, but it looks like you found that out the hard way. Lesson learned.
Sometimes prying one side will **** the shaft in the housing, and cause the c-clip to get a better bite, which is counter-productive.
Or if you can somehow pull from the end, as others have stated a sharp force works better than a steady one for this job.
These joints don't have a retention mechanism because it is un-necessary, but it looks like you found that out the hard way. Lesson learned.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 381
Likes: 3
Whew, finally got it out ! I ended up using a ball joint fork, and lightly tapping on it until the housing backed off the splines.
Now, is it worth putting the bearings back in and putting the boot on, or should I buy that $99 AutoZone half shaft ?
If I put it back together, what kind of grease is used, and how much do I use, a handfull ?
Now, is it worth putting the bearings back in and putting the boot on, or should I buy that $99 AutoZone half shaft ?
If I put it back together, what kind of grease is used, and how much do I use, a handfull ?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,394
Likes: 6
From: Melbourne FL
I'd just buy a new half shaft and not even mess around with the old one.
You will also need to find a new CV boot clamp. To the best of my knowledge you can not buy this part without purchasing a new boot kit. Which will probably be half the cost of the completely assembled new half shaft. So I say ditch the old; buy a new half shaft and have a new warranty on the shaft as well for $50 more than the boot kit.
You will also need to find a new CV boot clamp. To the best of my knowledge you can not buy this part without purchasing a new boot kit. Which will probably be half the cost of the completely assembled new half shaft. So I say ditch the old; buy a new half shaft and have a new warranty on the shaft as well for $50 more than the boot kit.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
