Removing the driveshaft from the stub axle.
 

The engine and tranny are out of my car and I need to remove the driveshafts completely before I can have the car towed to the autobody repair shop. Haynes and the factory service manual say to drive the shaft out of the hub before removing the outer CV joints from the shaft but is it possible to remove the outer CV joints from the stub axles without first driving the stub axles out of the hub? How difficult is it to drive the shaft out of the hub?

Thanks,
Alfred

It is possible to remove the 4 bolts that secure the CV to the stub axle. The problem then arises to separate the CV from the stub axle. There are 2 spiral pins that help to secure the CV from the stub axle. Subsequently, it may not be possible to separate the 2.

It is much easier to remove the big nut (30mm) on the end of the stub axle and push the axle through. Once the axle is out, separating the CV is much easier.

Be sure to purchase new CV gasket to go btwn the stub axle and the CV.

Take the 30mm nut off which is on there good. Smack the axle with a Brass hammer to drive it out. You will need to install new rear bearings later after doing this as the bearings need the torqued axle shaft to hold them in place.
Geoff

Don't roll the car around with the stub axle out, as the hub can come out of the bearing (wheel falls off).

Once you get the CV off of the stub, put the stub back in and tighten the 30mm nut to hold everything together.

I suggest putting the nut back on--backwards--just even with the end of the stub axle. Then hit it with a BFH. This should protect the threads on the stub.

--DD

Thank you all for the advice.

Alfred

You can remove the axle from the hub without damaging the rear bearings. At least that is what I have done when replacing CV joints and the bearings in my car seem to be holding up. I think the bearing damage comes when you remove the hub from the bearings.

You can loosen the 30mm nut by using the appropriate socket, breaker bar, and a 5' pipe for a helper lever. After loosening the 30mm nut leave it on the axle to protect the threads as Dave describes.

Mike

IF you pull the axle shaft out don't roll the car around as it will damage the bearings. They need the axle shaft installed to hold them in place.
Yes, its easy to remove the axle shaft out of the hub. You can't remove the hub from the bearings without damaging the bearing.

Geoff