Axles not prying out, am I overlooking something?

[Shifty Mcmazda]

I have a 92 GS Precidia, replacing the clutch...
All has gone "well" so far (aside from MANY rusty nuts and bolts that I'll be replacing before the project is over) and I'm down to pulling the axles from the trans. I've been prying from every angle I can reach but I just *can't* get it out of the driver's side. I've been working all day and don't really want to stop for something lame like this, am I just overlooking a step?

http://www.mx-3.com/manuals/showimg.php ... J2-013.gif

I've completed 1 through 19 as per these instructions. Any advice on this?

[mitmaks]

Ive got large tire iron and pried it out. That circlip can be real stubborn to come out

[Shifty Mcmazda]

yeah I'm not using a screw driver or anything, I'm using a > 2 ft crowbar and it's just makin a fool outa me >.<
Which circlip is that? I didn't remove any clips from the axle shafts.
and ty for the quick response =]

[tehbrookzorz]

Pretty sure there's a circlip near the end of the shaft, where the splines are.

[Ryan]

Yup, little circlip acts as an internal retaining ring... to stop the axle from falling out of the transmission.

Problem is, it works TOO well.

I suggest removing the big side of the boot and just leaving the housing in the transmission, and pulling the axle apart at the joint. It just slides, real easy. Just a little messier.

[_-Night-Shade-_]

I used a prybar and a 3lb hammer. Preload the bar against the axle and then clock it with the hammer. It needs that quick sudden force to get past the circlip. Also using a punch from the PS apparently works too.

[concealer404]

You either need a big "Pickle fork" and a dead blow hammer, or a slider hammer with axle pulling attachment if it isn't coming out with the pry bar.

[marcdh]

I wouldn't bother taking out the axle cup for a clutch change. Dealing with the CV boot is easier as Ryan says. Plus when you take the axles out it's just an opportunity for the spider gears in the diff to drop IIRC.

[Shifty Mcmazda]

Thanks for all the input guys! I pulled the joint out of the cup but there's no clearance for the cup to drop with the trans, I'm assuming that once the crossmember is out and the front mount goes with it, and the trans is completely unbolted, i can slide it to the front on a jack before it drops down? first time taking a transmission out of any car but i'm confident! How about the other side, is there an access point somewhere on the passenger side to remove the clip for the joint shaft (number 21 in the pic)? or as with the other clip, it just needs a sharp force to break it free, in which case, how do i replace it afterwards?

[concealer404]

It's the same as the other side.


As for putting them back in, they just go back on. (It's not as easy as it sounds, but line it up right and with some force, it'll go.)

[wytbishop]

It's literally just a piece of wire shaped like an almost closed circle. When it's new it's pretty tight on the splines of the axel but as it gets older it relaxes and expands and when you pull on it it catches on the groove in the spider gear inside the differential. I had one be very difficult and when it finally came out it was all bent and twisted.

Try prying as you sort of turn the axel. Pry and turn and it might help to center the clip.

[cWs306]

pull the entire motor with the transmission on it.. extra 20 minutes to disconnect and reconnect everything and on the up side.. new fluids

[Daninski]

You either need a big "Pickle fork" and a dead blow hammer, or a slider hammer with axle pulling attachment if it isn't coming out with the pry bar.

Hit that SOB with a real big pickle, umm

Can't you rent an axle puller? They make the job so much easier

[bloodred]

Just got mine out using a 3 foot long pry bar. Went in front the top. The trick was to get in just around "11 oclock" using the web of the casting as a leverage point. Took quite alot of force, but not excessive amount. Getting a decent leverage point in there was the main issue. Stuffed the seal, but they're cheap enough ...

[bloodred]

Sorry, meant to say a wrecking bar, not a pry bar.

one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-55-104-36 ... B0009UFJAW using the pointy end.