Half axle removal, How to dislodge the outer ends? Options

[PDXMike]

I need to remove the half axles so I can tow my motor less car. I have all of the bolts out, but I can't get the outer joints to separate. When I did the transmission ends I used a screwdriver to pry them apart. At the outer end I can't get anything inside the swing arm to do the prying.

I'm very tempted to just use the axle as a slide hammer to pull itself out, but that seems like a bad idea.

I'm supposed to have this thing at the shop first thing tomorrow morning.

Thanks!

[ThePaintedMan]

As Jim said Mike, it is possible to remove the outer joint from the stub axle flange without removing the stub axle itself. However, if the roll pins have rusted into the stub axle, simply removing the 4 x 12pt bolts may not do it. Especially since there is little room to get a whole lot of leverage and "hammer action" laterally by slamming the axle assembly toward the transmission. If you have the transmission out though, you might have more luck. Like Jim, this worked once for me, but the other side did not.

What we're suggesting is that you can alternatively remove the hub nut through the wheel, then remove the whole axle/stub assembly. Then separate the outer CV joint from the stub axle, then reinstall the stub axle and nut. This is often even harder to do though, since the stub axle is held on with 250 ft-lbs + whatever ft-lbs of rust is adding to it. Many have broken breaker bars trying, but it is another option for you.