I've been following the forum for the 99 CV Axle replacement, but there is a discrepancy in the last step between the forum and my Chilton manual. I've got everything apart except for the Axle from the transmission. I've tried prying it out, but I'm not sure if there are 3 retaining bolts (mentioned in the forum but not in the manual) or what the deal is with this retainer ring. This is the drivers side of an automatic. Does anyone have any experience or advice with this? Thank you for any help.

-John

i have experience with the 5-spd. on the driver's side, it just pops or pries out. on the passenger side, it has the 3 bolts, as it is much longer.

a long screwdriver should help you to pry it out. did you get it out of the hub end?

The hub end is out after about 15 trips to the auto parts store for various wrenches and specialty tools. I tried prying on the transaxle side, but I don't have a lift and getting a lot of force on the axle is proving difficult. Perhaps there is a tool that can be used for popping out the axle (similar to the ball joint fork)? I've tried starting to take off the passenger side axle, but I can't seem to free up the nut holding the axle shaft to the hub with my breaker bar. I also noticed a leak of either grease or power steering fluid from what appears to be from the rack and pinion steering assembly. There is a rubber piece located behind the sway bar near the transmission that is ripped. I checked All Data DIY to verify the Chilton's suggestion that the drivers side axle needed to be removed first and it argues that the passenger side must be removed first on the automatic. I don't know what to believe, but the boot on the passenger side is starting to show some cracking, so perhaps I should take care of that as well anyway. Thanks for the suggestion.

-John

If you don't have a lift, how about a floor jack? they are not too expensive. get one from Sears or Home Depot, lowe's or the autoparts store. use jackstands to steady the vehicle. then you can crawl underneath and pry to get the axles out. i do not know about which one needs to come out first. i dealt with a 5 spd. if the manual says one needs to come out before the other, heed their advice. check out Haynes. they make a good manual. i like them better than Chilton's. as for the pass. side, the 3 bolts have to be removed, and you pry it out like the other side. i used a large Craftsman screwdriver. there was a small space on the bottom of the tranny next to where the axle goes in that is for getting between the axle and the tranny to pry on.

BTW- are planning on rebuilding the axles youorself? check out the difference in price for exchanging yours for rebuilds.

For anyone attempting CV joint replacement, save yourself a headache and purchase a pickle fork. This job is a piece of cake if you can get the nuts and bolts out of everything. I still have to do the passenger side, but the drivers side came out beautifully. Thanks for the help.

-John