Stuck CV joint Options

[Literati914]

This is a new one in me.. but I pulled a spare trailing arm out of storage to replace the one on my driver (which had a torn rubber bushing). I planned to clean the arm up and paint it first, but my spare has a cv joint stuck inside, stuck to the stub axle by the roll pins I guess. Axle was gone when I got it (pulled out somehow (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) )

I tried everything to free it, though there’s very little space to get any leverage on it, inside the arm. I actually was eventually able to remove the inside cage w/ball bearings but the thick outer section is still firmly in place. I even tried ti drill out the roll pins - ended up breaking two drill bits. Any ideas? Fire is next (is residual axle grease flamable (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) ) but I thought I’d see if anyone else has come across this and how it was dealt with.

[Jack Standz]

Have used an axle as a sort of slide hammer to remove the axle with CV attached (trailing arm side of axle). But, you said the axle is gone, but the CV is still there? Not sure how that happens?

One option is to loosen the stub axle fastener/nut until it is past the end of the stub axle threads (to protect them). Then get a BFH and pound away on the axle end. You can also loosen the stub axle fastener/nut and then hold a piece of hardwood against the axle end to protect the threads when you hit with the BHF. Best wishes for the fix.

Another, probably better, option is to remove the trailing arm and use a press to push out the stub axle with CV attached.

[Superhawk996]

Another, probably better, option is to remove the trailing arm and use a press to push out the stub axle with CV attached.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Why make life difficult. Don’t have a press? Find a local shop - most will do it for a very nominal cost. Often I’ve gotten it done for free if you leave it with them to do at their convenience when work is slow.

Don’t forget that a new rear bearing is going to be required.

[Literati914]

..One option is to loosen the stub axle fastener/nut until it is past the end of the stub axle threads (to protect them). Then get a BFH and pound away on the axle end. You can also loosen the stub axle fastener/nut and then hold a piece of hardwood against the axle end to protect the threads when you hit with the BHF. Best wishes for the fix.

Basically this is what I did and it worked to remove the cv/stub combo. I was done with it though and grabbed one of the stub axles slated for my latest build. I did not really have to beat on it to remove the stub, just a few good taps and it was out..

Don’t forget that a new rear bearing is going to be required.

Actually the bearing did not take a beating during the removal and everything felt solid after re-install. I’ll keep an eye on that bearing for a bit, but I think it’s good.Thanks again guys!!

Here’s the @#*$!%, broken drill bit and all

ps - the retaining C-clip that goes on the end of the axle was loose in the bottom of this assembly. So someone probably tried using the axle as a slide-hammer at some point and the C-clip was the weak link.. it couldn't defeat this bond either.

[rjames]

Replace the bearing.