How to get half shaft off from engine side?

[aliasmax]

Hi people. 2000 grand prix gt 57,000 miles. I replaced my drivers side half shaft last summer with a GSP unit from Advanced Auto. Well it went again. Got a knocking on right turns. got the car all apart but i can't get the axle out from the engine side. It won't pull out and it won't pry out. The axle shaft on the engine side has a lot of side to side and up and down slop. Does anyone have any tricks to get it out? Please, please any ideas. TIA

[tblake]

Big long prybar! Lots of leverage. You have to be carefull not to ruin the trans axel seal though.

[aliasmax]

Originally Posted by tblake

Big long prybar! Lots of leverage. You have to be carefull not to ruin the trans axel seal though.

the biggest pry bar i can fit in there is a 12 inch

[aliasmax]

I am stuck, the shaft came out about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch, thats it. Is there an uncomplicated way to release the axle from the inside? What holds the axle in? Any help much appreciated. thanks

[richtazz]

The only thing that holds that axle in is a small circlip. If it isn't coming out, you may have an internal trans issue like the bushing is seized to the shaft. Is the slop where the shaft goes in the trans (meaning the whole inner cv joint moves up and down where it goes into the trans), or is it in the actual cv joint/shaft (the part that goes in the trans remains still, but the shaft that connects the inner and outer joints moves around)?

[Airjer_]

Originally Posted by richtazz

The only thing that holds that axle in is a small circlip. If it isn't coming out, you may have an internal trans issue like the bushing is seized to the shaft.

Or when you installed it last time the circlip was not centered and it rolled over the splines. After whacking the other end with a hammer to get it all the way in there's no way its coming out again with a 12" prybar? I'm not saying you did I'm just throwing it out as a possibility.

The other alternative is getting a slammer hammer with a vice grip attachment. Seperate the inner joint and shaft. Clamp the vice grip to the tulip and slammer hammer away.

[aliasmax]

Originally Posted by richtazz

The only thing that holds that axle in is a small circlip. If it isn't coming out, you may have an internal trans issue like the bushing is seized to the shaft. Is the slop where the shaft goes in the trans (meaning the whole inner cv joint moves up and down where it goes into the trans), or is it in the actual cv joint/shaft (the part that goes in the trans remains still, but the shaft that connects the inner and outer joints moves around)?

there is a lot of slop in the piece that goes on the spline. Up and down and side to side, but no movment in and out.

[tblake]

Just wondering you popped the ball joint out, and have the outter end of the cv axel taken out of the wheel hub, right?

If it slides out 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch, it should be home free.

[aliasmax]

Originally Posted by tblake

Just wondering you popped the ball joint out, and have the outter end of the cv axel taken out of the wheel hub, right?

If it slides out 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch, it should be home free.

Yes the ball joint is disconnected and the axle shaft is out of the bearing. I pried the axle shaft 1/2 to 3/4 inch out from the side cover but it will not go back in that 1/2 to 3/4 inch.

[tblake]

Uh oh! sucks when you cant even put the car backtogether.

I think I'd keep prying out. Eventually it should come.

Try at different angles.

Just be carefull and use jackstands.

[aliasmax]

Okay, say i get this axle out and the retainer clip for the axle is bent, broke and just unusable what would my options be to get an axle back in? By axle back in i mean drivable.

[aliasmax]

okay i bought a 90 degree pry bar and got the axle out. now the question is the auto parts stores around here only carry GSP, cardon or powerline axle shafts. which one is better? thanks

[richtazz]

I have no experience with GSP or Powerline, but Cardone is a reliable brand. Cardone can't get electronics right for some reason, but their mechanical parts (axles, brake calipers, etc...) are good quality.