Axle stuck - wont come out please help!

[Stork]

Hi I am trying to remove driver side axle from my 97 escort wagon. In the book says pry with prybar. I tried for several hours ! It wont come out, I removed the crossmember it didn't help much, I took my ford to transmission shop they were trying for 1,5 hr and couldn't do it. I had to pay of course for the time. They wanted remove the trani, but I couldn't afford that. Right now I am in th process of removing trani myself. Do I have to do that or is there easier way to remove driverside axle (oil leaks from the seal)

[Mrgonzo1]

Originally Posted by Stork

Hi I am trying to remove driver side axle from my 97 escort wagon. In the book says pry with prybar. I tried for several hours ! It wont come out, I removed the crossmember it didn't help much, I took my ford to transmission shop they were trying for 1,5 hr and couldn't do it. I had to pay of course for the time. They wanted remove the trani, but I couldn't afford that. Right now I am in th process of removing trani myself. Do I have to do that or is there easier way to remove driverside axle (oil leaks from the seal)

I had the same problem with my Escort LX. I pulled the tranny and made a u-shaped steel bar with a drilled hole in the middle to accept a slide hammer. I then pulled the axle out of the drive shaft joint (at the tranny) then I welded the bar I made to the drive shaft housing, attached the slide hammer and out it came. The retaining ring prevented the axle from coming out. You will have to replace the axle and check the inside of the tranny for pieces of the retaining ring. When you purchase a new axle, place close attention the the retaining ring. If it looks like its not completely seated around the shaft look at a different axle.

[mlw35405]

I had the exact same problem with my 97 escort 5 speed. Mrgonzo1 gives some great instructions on how to remove it. Yes, the tranny will have to come out, but it's not that big a job. Just be careful when trying to get the axle out-if you bang up the case around the seal it will leak and you'll have to get another transmission. Don't ask me how I know this...

[Stork]

Originally Posted by Mrgonzo1

I had the same problem with my Escort LX. I pulled the tranny and made a u-shaped steel bar with a drilled hole in the middle to accept a slide hammer. I then pulled the axle out of the drive shaft joint (at the tranny) then I welded the bar I made to the drive shaft housing, attached the slide hammer and out it came. The retaining ring prevented the axle from coming out. You will have to replace the axle and check the inside of the tranny for pieces of the retaining ring. When you purchase a new axle, place close attention the the retaining ring. If it looks like its not completely seated around the shaft look at a different axle.

Thank you very much for quick response. At least I Know I am not crazy...I will continue with transmission removing job and go from there. thanks again

[A. Souphound]

Originally Posted by Stork

Thank you very much for quick response. At least I Know I am not crazy...I will continue with transmission removing job and go from there. thanks again

Stork,
One other thought....when you remove the long axle, take a narrow screwdriver and drive the short axle out of the transmission just enough to unseat the circlip on the stubshaft. Insert a 15/16 wooden dowel into the right side to prevent the right differential side gear from falling when the left driveaxle is removed. As others have indicated, the circlip is probably holding it.
Alvin