Can't pull halfshaft from differential

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Jul 14, 2007 | 05:01 PM

sigma6

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 474

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From: Los Angeles CA

Can't pull halfshaft from differential

Following dopey's clutch DIY, I can't pull the halfshaft out of the differential. I read that I should try a prybar but don't want to risk tearing anything important. Is there a special tool I can use?

Jul 14, 2007 | 05:42 PM

Patches

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 23,283

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From: Lake Elsinore, CA

I did mine last week and, after unbolting the upper shock mount and upper A-arm bolts I just grabbed the brake rotor and pulled sharply outward until the spline broke loose. I don't like to pry with a large screwdriver between the halfshaft and diff because it always feels like I'm going to ruin something but I've done it that way a time or two.

Jul 14, 2007 | 06:53 PM

Dope

Resident moron

Joined: Jun 2003

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From: Assachusetts

I agree. Don't try to pull on the shaft itself. Just unbolt the upper control arm/shock, and tug like a **** on the top of the spindle. Keep doing it. It'll break or come off :P

Dope

Jul 14, 2007 | 08:57 PM

sigma6

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 474

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From: Los Angeles CA

You guys must have super strength! I'll keep trying. I've been yanking at the rotor so maybe I need to get closer.

Jul 14, 2007 | 09:08 PM

Patches

Team Owner

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From: Lake Elsinore, CA

Remember that there is weight pulling the whole side down so there is a side load on the spline. That locks it in somewhat and makes it stick inside the diff. It comes out easier if ther is little or no angle on the shaft. You may want to jack up the lower A-arm a bit to minimize the downward angle of the shaft and make it easier to pull out.

Jul 14, 2007 | 09:37 PM

sigma6

Thread Starter

Racer

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From: Los Angeles CA

Update:

Driver's side popped out with some heavy pulling. Passenger's side I pulled and pulled and it would not budge. I gave it one last yank and something popped out. It feels like it's no longer attached to the diff, however, the boot and the rubber end of the boot is still attached to the diff. If I yank on the halfshaft, you can tell it's not connected to the other end. It's like an accordian. Is this a bad sign - did I break something?! DOH!!!!!

Jul 14, 2007 | 11:25 PM

ajg1915

Race Director

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 15,960

Likes: 21

From: West Norriton PA

St. Jude Donor '08

Quote:

Originally Posted by sigma6

You're fine. It moves in and out a bit. I used a big screw driver and just wriggled it a bit until the axle poped and then pulled the rest out by hand.

There is a clip that holds tension against the axle spline, you'll see once you get the axle loose from the differential.

Jul 15, 2007 | 08:15 AM

vettenuts

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 1999

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From: At the beach in little Rhody

I found that when I tugged on the top of the rotor I had to hold the shaft up so it was aligned straight with the differential so I was pulling straight on it. There is a snap ring on the differential shaft you are pulling against so if you tug quick on the shaft with it supported by the other hand you will compress the snap ring and the shaft will pop off.