Rear halfshaft removal
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 1,115
From: Hereford AZ
Why are you replacing the rear axles? (that's what you mean by half shafts, right?) Did you break one?
It is not very hard; you should search on some of the rear diff replacement posts. You can see how, with pictures. You will need a very large socket for the hub bolt.
It is not very hard; you should search on some of the rear diff replacement posts. You can see how, with pictures. You will need a very large socket for the hub bolt.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 1
From: Littleton Colorado
Be careful of remanufactured half shafts, I’d suggest getting yours rebuilt if possible. I got two from an on-line supplier, one had a bad boot that threw grease everywhere and the other leaked at the new diff seal. So, its back up on the jack stands to get another set. This time I took the originals to a well respected local shop. The look much better, but can’t yet tell if they are better.
But back to your question, basically there are two approaches to it. Either disconnect the bottom ball joint or take the top A-arm and shock off at the top attachment points. Both have draw backs, as its not an easy job.
Disconnecting the ball joint will require a pickle fork. I always seem to rip the ball joint cover when using the fork, but I can’t tell you if there is a better way of doing it as I have not done it yet. The other down side for me is that its hard getting to the nut for the lower ball joint.
Taking the upper A-arm off and the shock (at the top) is more nuts and bolts, but no special tools. The shock bolts are a PIA to get in and out because they are not aligned to the shock or anything else, so its hard to get them started without cross threading. Taking this approach you may need to have your rear alignment checked after you are done. The actual chamber adjustments are on the lower A-arm, but there is some play in the attachment of the upper A-arm. This may not be a big concern.
The actual half shafts are not much of a problem. They will be hard to take out of the bearing. And it will take a good tug to get them out of the diff. But, no special tools.
Besides diff swap instructions you an also look for rear bearing instructions, this guy has a decent write up:
http://www.jakelatham.com/C5/misc/C5...el_Bearing.doc
But back to your question, basically there are two approaches to it. Either disconnect the bottom ball joint or take the top A-arm and shock off at the top attachment points. Both have draw backs, as its not an easy job.
Disconnecting the ball joint will require a pickle fork. I always seem to rip the ball joint cover when using the fork, but I can’t tell you if there is a better way of doing it as I have not done it yet. The other down side for me is that its hard getting to the nut for the lower ball joint.
Taking the upper A-arm off and the shock (at the top) is more nuts and bolts, but no special tools. The shock bolts are a PIA to get in and out because they are not aligned to the shock or anything else, so its hard to get them started without cross threading. Taking this approach you may need to have your rear alignment checked after you are done. The actual chamber adjustments are on the lower A-arm, but there is some play in the attachment of the upper A-arm. This may not be a big concern.
The actual half shafts are not much of a problem. They will be hard to take out of the bearing. And it will take a good tug to get them out of the diff. But, no special tools.
Besides diff swap instructions you an also look for rear bearing instructions, this guy has a decent write up:
http://www.jakelatham.com/C5/misc/C5...el_Bearing.doc
