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Drivers Side Half Shaft (axle)

A

allstyle12

CEG'er
Joined
May 5, 2006
Messages
329
Location
Sunny San Diego California
I attempted to remove the motor/tranny from my salvage Contour yesterday and I ran into a problem. The drivers side half shaft will not come out. I tried a pry bar (2 feet I think) for about 2 hours and it would not budge. I even removed the axle from the hub (or knuckle) and it still won’t come out. The passenger side came out with ease. I searched (old forums) and I found that a couple people punched out the axle from the passenger side with a hammer and a long screw driver. So my question is would I damage anything doing this?

Thanks,

A
 
On the drivers side axle, there is a little vally that a small clip (like i coat hanger thickness) is in that vally internally. You have to pull and give it a nice budge to get it out. As far as trying from the passinger side like the method u mentioned, I'm not sure...
 
when I did mine I had to take it out this way. What I did was take a small flat head screw driver and find a socket that fits on the handle snugly. Then put my 3 foot extension connected to the socket. Then a short garbage extension connected to that so I do not ruin my good one by beating on it.
View attachment 2.bmp

This is basically what the inside looks like from the passenger side where you took the half shaft out. You are going to want to tap the black part. there teeth in there so be careful not to hit them. A couple taps and it should start coming out and then you will be able to get it out from the other side after the ring has unseated.

Be very careful when doing this because you could screw up you differential if you break or chip any teeth.:eek:
 
The clip CANT be seen. Its on the axle shaft INSIDE the tranny. I was just saying that is what is holding it in the tranny. You had to pop the axle or pull it enough for the clip to slide out of the groove...the clip should remain on the axle (in the groove) when it comes out
 
I got it out yesterday by using the punch out method. I used a 2 1/2 foot long screw driver and just tapped it a little on the outer sides of the axle (not hitting the center or the teeth). I then used the pry bar with little effort and it came out with ease. Thanks for the help everyone.
 
Yeah, that thing is a PITA to get out, that is why I just leave it in there whenever I pull a trans. Unless you need that part, pust pull off the cv boot and pop the cv out. If you need the shaft, the above methed is better then a slide hammer. Hehe, this is even easier to do after you pull the bellhousing and diff out :laugh:
 
If you can, just go to AutoZone and borrow the two tools mentioned below. They are free*. You also don't risk damaging your tranny internals.

*You do have to put down a $50 deposit, which you get right back when you return the tools.

HTH,
BP

eepals said:
It is much easier with the correct tool/method. There are cheaper versions but this is what I have. You can probably borrow a set-up like this from Autozone.
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/OTC-7507.html
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/OTC-7947.html
Click to expand...
 
As EEPALS suggested, you can rent for free a axle puller from Autozone. Basically it is a slide hammer with a fork on the end that slides behind the axle snub. A couple of slides and it is out. Easy and painless.

Bob




eepals said:
It is much easier with the correct tool/method. There are cheaper versions but this is what I have. You can probably borrow a set-up like this from Autozone.
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/OTC-7507.html
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/OTC-7947.html
Click to expand...
 
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