HELP CAN NOT get axle out!!

jT · Post by jT » Mon Jul 27, 2009 1:24 pm

I'm at my fucking wits end, and am ready to torch the car in my driveway.

I CAN NOT get the axle out of the transmission. I've tried a pry bar at every angle I can think of, I've pushed it, I've pulled it, I've kicked it, and it will not pop the fuck out!

I've been at this since yesterday (well, other problems yesterday, today this one). I didn't go to work last night because I had no car!! It's not looking any better for today!

IS there any other way of getting the fucking thing out?
If I loosen/take off the plate thats surrounding the axle where it goes into the transmission will that accomplish anything? It wont come all the way off since the axle is there but whatever...

What can I do/try? I need the car for a while longer but its not looking good right now!!!!

Btw it's a replacement axle that is there now.. but it's got the OEM retainer ring from the old axle since the new one that came with it was not shaped correctly .. this axle SLID IN nice and easy when it was installed, so i dont know why its not coming the fuck out!?!?!?!?

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 2:53 pm

They can be difficult to say the least.

One question first...you already have the axle out of the hub, yes?

As long as that is done, you will need to strike the joint sharply and with good force to release the c-clip. That can be hard if it is just jacked up in the driveway. We usually get the car up as high as possible and using a long pry bar with an angled tip, strike the back side of the joint (the part facing the trans) to knock it loose.

That's about it. I have had them come out by prying, but if that clip is new it may not come out that way.

jT · Post by jT » Mon Jul 27, 2009 3:30 pm

the clip itself is not all that new, since it came off the old axle.

and yes the car is stripped down since i was also replacing the knuckle.. so everything is off..

i know i dont have the best angled tip pry bars but they have worked in the past.. i wedged one back there and used my leg to push on it and it was no-go. and my leg is strong!!! heh.

i may have potentially damaged the inside of the trans where the axle goes, but even so i would imagine that it would make the axle not stay in, not not able to come out.. but i wont get into that story.. heh.

and i loosened that plate... did nothing to help. for future reference!

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 3:39 pm

Unfortunately, it is a striking force, not a constant force, that will get the axle out.

OB · Post by OB » Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:54 pm

Danteneon wrote:Unfortunately, it is a striking force, not a constant force, that will get the axle out.

Exactly. It needs a blunt hit with a hammer. Takes shock to get it loose.

fixitmattman · Post by **fixitmattman** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:15 pm

Two prybars and a snap action hit will do it.

bone-yard-racing · Post by **bone-yard-racing** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:40 pm

If you dont intend to reuse the axle get the hub off the control arm with it still bolted to the axle. Have a friend or a wall steady you and just give it a quick forceful pull on the knuckle should come right out, be careful punching yourself in the chest with a steering knuckle hurts like hell

patiofurnituregt · Post by **patiofurnituregt** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 12:06 am

i had used a 3ft pry bar and it worked okay if you pry on it against the control arm if I remember but it was also on a lift which made it easier

jT · Post by jT » Tue Jul 28, 2009 6:58 am

Like I said I went at it from every which way, and my neighbor was going at it so hard I thought the car was going to fall off the jacks/stands.

Ill go out to harbor freight and pick up some different pry bars that have better angles on them but the pry bars i have now i have used before successfully, so i really dont think that is the problem.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 8:23 am

PM sent

hul kogan · Post by **hul kogan** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:35 am

The real key here is a quick, blunt impact. Constant pressure will do little in this situation because you need the sudden shock to pop the clip out.

I have done this two different ways:
1. Wedge a pry bar in between the transmission and the axle. Then using a large deadblow hammer OR your foot simply give the pry bar a good wack/kick. If there is a wall next to the car, it will give you a great base for support if you are using your foot. If one shot doesn't do it, just try and try again.
2. Take a large adjustable wrench and open it all the way. It must open wide enough to fit around the axle. Then wedge it between the axle and transmission. You may need to support the wrench depending on how tightly you are able to wedge it in there. Like the last method, choose your preferred striking method (deadblow or foot), brace yourself, and have at it.

One of those methods usually seems to work for me. The most important thing to remember is sudden impact, not constant force.

jT · Post by jT » Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:11 am

i dont know how i did it but finally got it out... took off the strut to have more room, maybe had something wedged in one side while i banged on the otherl.. dont even know

think the prob was the retainer ring was like stretched out too big... i bent it trying to get it off the old axle and onto the new one.... swo it rounded out more

axle seal got mangled a little but screw it!!

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:28 am

Glad to hear you got it out, but you will want to replace that seal. If not it will leak and you will be doing all of this work again