CV shaft install frustration

RatLabGuy

Huh? What?
:
'03 p5 and '89 4Runner; M5 (wife's)
Hi guys.
Installing a new CV on the D-side... had to trash the old one b/c it was thoroughly stuck in the back of the wheel hub, which had a trashed bearing. As though that wasn't frustrating enough (having to replace the whole hub and CV instead of a $30 bearing just b/c it was all stuck together), i'm having quite a time getting the new one in.
It all comes down to the C-clip on the end of the axle, which is preventing it from slipping fully into the differential splines. If I pry the C- clip off, it will slip in w/o any problem. But w/ it in place it gets hung up immediately.
I've tried using the vice to bend it closed a lot more (reduce the diameter), except that in the process of putting it back on the axle it gets spread out again negating the shrinkage I just did.
I've taken out the whole strut so I have a nice wide open straight shot to push it in. I'm a bit hesitant to whack too hard on the outer end of the shaft, for fear of mushrooming the tip or jarring the inner joint. Part of the challenge there is holding the inner joint end so it is straight with one hand while pushing the other, since there is a 2nd joint in play.

Is there some trick I am missing? Is this better done as a 2-man job, one holds and wiggles it while the other taps?
... that sounds like of dirty... (eek2)
 
that clip has a specific diameter that it needs to be when installed on the spline...I believe it's 30.5mm for a manual trans and 29.2mm for an automatic transmission. Other than that, I should just snap in place if you have that correct. It does take a bit of force to get the axles in but nothing too psycho as far as I can remember.
 
i went thru this a little while back if ur doing it by urself its a huge pita u can hammer push twist and it wont go in the easiest way i found it to go in is to have another mechanically inclined person hold it straight i mean completely straight and u tap it in with a rubber mallet. and i promise u it will fall right in
 
Keeping the CV shaft straight is a must!!!, combine that with a tap from a rubber mallet and it should just pop in...
 
Thanks.
Now the difficult question - do I trust my wife more to climb under the car and hold it straight, or with a mallet...(nervous)...
 
Well, yep, that was it... took my life in my hands and gave the wife the mallet while I held it... a little wiggle action w/ a few whacks then POP right in.

and she only missed and hit my hand one time, too.

Thanks guys.

p.s. wow it's way past time to update my sig pics, that truck dosn't look nearly so pretty anymore (five-0)
 

New Threads and Articles

Back