seized cv axle

[pacemade]

This is also my introduction forum.
I am a mechanic from Anchorage, AK. I joined this forum while looking for advice on rebuilding floor jacks. Currently I am replacing a cv axle on my 97 Mazda MPV 3.0L van. I have pried, yanked, hammered, used a slide hammer, pried while using the slide hammer. Any ideas on how I can get this cv axle out? The only thing I haven't tried is removing the whole axle and taking to a shop.

 

[superchargedv8]

sometimes cv axles have a support bracket pressed on that needs to get unbolted also so it comes out.

 

[pacemade]

I don't know that it has a support bracket holding it together, but it does have a mounting bracket with rubber dampener attaching the axle tube to sub frame.

 

[pacemade]

I have seen those inner c clips hang up and twist sideways coming out, but I have no idea how much force it would take to over come that, my car is on jack stands and I can't get a long pry bar under it.

 

[wornoutoldman]

This will do it.

 

[goodysgotacuda]

Air hammer on the snout? A "real" air hammer..

 

[pacemade]

I have tried the slide hammer with C adapter. The air hammer I haven't, its soft metal around the snout. Possibly air hammer on c adapter?

 

[rlitman]

I have tried the slide hammer with C adapter. The air hammer I haven't, its soft metal around the snout. Possibly air hammer on c adapter?

It is soft metal, but you should be able to hit with a conical punch tip only in the dimple on the end. Even if it mushrooms the threads a little, it shouldn't mushroom them enough to spread the diameter to interfere with the splines (unless you used a sledge).

 

[WhiffySpark]

It is soft metal, but you should be able to hit with a conical punch tip only in the dimple on the end. Even if it mushrooms the threads a little, it shouldn't mushroom them enough to spread the diameter to interfere with the splines (unless you used a sledge).

Just to clarify is the op talking about the hub or transmission end?

 

[pacemade]

I have taken everything apart, but I cannot remove the cv axle from the axle tube. its a non lubricated joint that slides over an axle and c ring.

 

[pacemade]

My cv axle slides over the splined axle and c ring.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Bfh and pry bar to smack it out. Never had luck with a slide hammer

 

[pacemade]

I have replaced several cv axles and never needed a slide hammer, I thought I'd give it a try. This cv axle has by far been the worst, at least its on my own car and not time sensitive. I broke three ratchets and a 2ft breaker bar on the spindle nut. Then the tie rod and ball joints were of coarse stuck in position, let soak with pb blaster over night. And for the last two days I have been fighting this cv axle. I have a friend that specializes in transmissions and axles coming to help me when he gets free time. I'm hoping a bfh (air hammer) and extra set of arms on a pry bar does the trick. Thanks for all of the ideas, please keep them coming. I will try and post pictures so anyone coming across this problem can use the information too.

 

[pacemade]

I called Mazda and they said these cv axles rust to the axle. It is a non serviceable differential and must be removed from the vehicle to work on. I have removed the three bolts holding the axle to the sub-frame. Now I have to cut the old cv axle off so the differential can be removed.

 

[pacemade]

Finally cut the cv axle off. Other than damaging the c clip it came out well.

 

[pacemade]

After cutting the cv axle free I lowered the left side of the subframe pulled the shaft down. I raised the subframe and lowered the other side of the subrame and worked the axle until I could get the bolts off of the half shaft.

 

[pacemade]

I cleaned the splines with a file, cut notches and pried until the remainder of the cv axle was off the axle.

 

[pacemade]

The old spring ring (c clip) next to the new one. All that is left is putting the intermediate shaft (half shaft) back into the car.