half-shaft removal

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Apr 14, 2012 | 06:17 PM

ap3x

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From: San Antonio TX

half-shaft removal

I'm in the process of trying to fix the leaky butt...

I've been following this writeup: http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...d.php?t=101986

Everything has gone pretty well up until removal of the shaft... I finally got it out of the differential but I don't understand what exactly it is he refers to when he says 'stabilizer', nor do I really understand what to 'whack' to remove it.

Can anyone help me out with this step?

Thanks,
Jason

Apr 14, 2012 | 08:14 PM

ap3x

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From: San Antonio TX

Yes, the half shaft is out of the diff, but still in the hub.

From my understanding, his directions don't specifically say that the shaft will be removed from the hub first, but rather yanking on the "stabilizer" (which I took to mean the hub/spindle assembly, perhaps incorrectly), and then hopefully it will come out from both ends.

I don't know how to go about removing the end that is in the hub, this is the part I need some help with.

Thanks,
Jason

Apr 14, 2012 | 10:44 PM

lionelhutz

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From: South Western Ontario

You have the nut off? If should just come out. If not, use a hammer.

Those instructions suck too, pulling on the hub end of the 1/2 shaft can pull the inner CV joint apart. Basically, you are using the boot to pull it out.

Apr 15, 2012 | 12:45 AM

Last C5

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From: Vancouver Washington

If you've already got it out of the diff and all you're doing is replacing the seal to fix a leaky butt, why remove it from the hub at all?

Apr 15, 2012 | 07:35 AM

ap3x

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From: San Antonio TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by lionelhutz

Okay thanks. I may try and do that, or I may try and just replace it as is.

Although, there is a TON of gunk all over the left side of the differential... it seems like it might be more than could come from just the output shaft seal. It is really hard to clean up under there... and it makes me wonder if I should try the method here: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...on-photos.html of dropping the rear subframe and completely removing the diff. This would make it easy to replace the seals, as well as remove the side covers and redo the orings and gaskets. I'm afraid that may be a little beyond my technical ability though.

I'm sad to hear the directions I was following may have damaged my halfshaft. I was going to follow cajundude's writeup, but it seems to have disappeared from the internets.

Apr 15, 2012 | 01:12 PM

lionelhutz

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From: South Western Ontario

You do not have to pull the exhaust or the tunnel plate to remove the cradle. If you have already broken the joint at the upper A-arms, pulled the shocks, removed the calipers and disconnected the e-brake and ABS wire then then you are almost ready to pull it. Just push the clips for the brake lines out of the subframe and remove the 4 cradle nuts and lower it. DO NOT use an impact on those 4 nuts. The trans and diff will drop down until they rest on the tunnel plate. If you don't like that idea then support it with another jack stand. Then, the diff would likely come off but you may have to break the exhaust joints and tie the mufflers further to the sides to get it off. Otherwise, leave it on and clean and fix it in the car.

Last edited by lionelhutz; Apr 15, 2012 at 01:17 PM.

Apr 15, 2012 | 01:28 PM

bumble-z

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From: Belleville Mich.

I would go with what lionelhutz suggested in his very last sentence.

Your all ready in there where the seal lives & you have the shaft out of the way.
You have the hard part done.

Get several large bottles of cheap brake cleaner , a lot of rags, brushes & get that differential as clean as you can.

More than likely it's just the driver's side seal & not the side cover O ring.

If the O ring must be replaced on the driver's side cover, there is a stud on the lower side cover that must be removed

Good luck.

Last edited by bumble-z; Apr 15, 2012 at 01:41 PM.

Apr 15, 2012 | 01:35 PM

lionelhutz

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From: South Western Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by bumble-z

Get several large bottles of cheap brake fluid,

Brake cleaner you mean?

I forgot to mention that, but yes a brush, roll of shop towels and a few cans of brake cleaner will do better than anything else you can use. Protect your eyes, wear rubber gloves and put a fan blowing under the car for ventilation. I had oil all over the front of my car from a PS hose leak and it cleaned up very nicely that way.