You may use your car for many years without having issues with the CV axle, but car problems often happen unexpectedly. You don’t need to spend money hiring a mechanic if your CV axle gets stuck. We have discussed some DIY tips to help, all you need is the right tools for the job.
The most common type of CV axle is the one that has friction pins. The splines on the shaft are the ones that usually get stuck in the transmission. This is because the makers fill the CV joint with special grease, and then it’s sealed tight with a plastic boot or rubber casing.
How Do You Remove a Stuck CV Axle?
Since CV joints don’t need maintenance, a vehicle can have 300,000 miles on it and still have its original CV joint. However, it may have become rusted over time and extremely hard to remove, bringing us to how you remove a stuck CV axle?
How to Remove a Stuck Axle with a Slide Hammer
You Will Need:
- Slide hammer
- Axle puller adapter
- PB penetrating catalyst.
Step 1: Spray with PB Penetrate
You will need to tap the axle using quick snap movements with a slide hammer for this first method. However, a stuck CV axle is usually rusted, so the first step is to spray the CV joint with PB penetrate and wait for at least eight hours before taking the following steps.
After eight hours, it’s time to go in with the slide hammer.
Step 2: Attach the Slide Hammer
Thread the axle puller adapter to the slide hammer. The axle puller adapter should go onto the back right of the CV joint. Make sure to wiggle the puller adapter in until it snaps into the CV joint’s metal casing. Also, ensure that the C-clip is facing downward open. Otherwise, the shaft will not come out.
Step 3: Pull the CV Axle Out
Find the best angle to allow you to yank at the hammer and pull the CV shaft straight at you. You’ll need lots of elbow grease to do this part quickly.
Hold on to the T-handle and tug on the slide hammer to get the brakes to loosen. If it does not come out after five minutes of pulling, rotate the shaft gradually and yank on it continuously. The CV joint on the stubborn driver’s side should fall right out in most cases.
Also Know: 8 Best Penetrating Oil Reviews
How Do you Remove Broken a CV Axle Without a Slide Hammer?
When the CV joint is stuck in the hub, a slide hammer is likely not the best option to remove it if you are a novice. That is so because a slide hammer can damage the threads or the CV boot clamp, causing even more problems when removing the CV axle.
In this case, you will need lots of pressure and blunt-force trauma to break the central axle nut loose because it is usually very tight.
You Will Need:
- PB penetrate
- Hub puller and drive screw
- Impact driver
Step 1: Spray with PB Penetrate
Spray the PB penetrate over the hub. The oil will penetrate the axle nut and loosen the deposited rust caked on the nut. Again, it’s best to wait for 8 – 20 hours for the penetrating oil to seep into the parts.
Step 2: Attach the Hub Puller and Drive Screw
Now, bolt the tool to the center of the axle shaft—one of the best hub pullers is the universal hub puller tool by OTC tools. The hub puller allows you to apply the force directly against the axle shaft and not on the sides.
Attach the hub puller to the hub. you will need three lug nuts for that. Then, roll the drive screw down the center of the hub puller into the axle shaft. Next, attach a 19 mm drive bolt that will be the point of force with the impact driver.
Step 3: Apply Force
Use the impact driver to push the axle shaft through the hub. The impact driver’s forward thrust and sudden rotational force should pull the suspension apart and make it easy to access and remove the CV axle.
Also Read: What Does a Broken Axle Sound Like?
How Do You Remove A Stuck Half Shaft?
A stuck half shaft is when a CV joint gets stuck in the differential jack-shaft. It’s one of the most complex joints to dislodge because you usually don’t have anything to use to grip it. Mechanics often use a chisel and a hammer to hit the stuck half shaft. Sometimes, this method works, but you may end up ripping off the cup from the stub axle.
You will need:
- A vise grip slide hammer (you can get a pair on Amazon)
- Utility knife
Step 1: Cut off Excess Rubber
Run the knife around the axle’s outer parts to help create space around the stuck portion.
Clean the area to remove excess grease to avoid messy working space. Now you can cut off the extra rubber.
Step 2: Secure the Vise Grips
The vise grip you use must be in good shape to securely hole the CV. Take the vise grip, clamp it down onto the CV, and use the slide hammer to remove the stuck half shaft.
Step 3: Remove The Stuck Half Shaft Out
Now, pull on the slide hammer until the CV axle separates from the shaft. Sometimes, if you don’t have the correct pulling angle, the stuck CV axle may not come off quickly. Hence, keep changing positions until the cup comes out.
Alternatively,
If you only have a vise grip tool, you can replace the adjusting screw with a slide hammer attachment. Thus, you’ll have a long adjuster screw that you can use to apply the torque you need to remove the stuck half shaft.
All you need to do now is to yank the sliding hammer until the CV axle comes out.
Extra Tip
Using a Pry Bar and Hammer
This method applies force to the axle shaft from the opposite side of the car. To this end, place the curved tip of the pry bar on the axle’s seal. Then, use a hammer to tap the pry bar, the axle should become detached after a few taps.
How to Remove Stuck CV Axle with Roll Pin and Splined Socket
If you’re dealing with the type of CV axle that has a roll pin, it may lock into the stub shaft. You’ll need to use a hammer and a roll pin punch in this case. Then, strike the roll pin with a hammer until the axle comes off the transmission.
Conclusion
A stubborn CV axle happens more often than most mechanics and DIYers anticipate. While it can be a frustrating job, understanding how to remove a stuck CV axle will save you hours.
The methods described above work for CV axles that come with friction pins. In most cases, a slide hammer will get the job done. Nevertheless, you may encounter a CV axle stuck in the hub and won’t budge no matter what you do. You’ll need more force and pressure to get it done when this happens. Also, don’t forget to use PB penetrate to loosen it before applying torque.
