Drive axle removal question

[kenz]

I'm getting ready to change the clutch in my 2002 P5. I've pulled both axle shafts and am getting ready to pull the driveshaft on the passenger side. but I've read through the FSM and it mentions a tool to insert into the transaxle after removing the driveshaft on the passenger side.

Is this tool really needed? Can I pull the transaxle out without the driveshaft or the tool?

Thanks,
Ken

 

[whatusername]

yes u can no special tool needed also u didnt need to pull the axle from the drive shaft as u call it lol it would have came out together

 

[tweety2300]

Umm yes you do, if you don't you take a chance of the spider gears coming out of the differential which you will have to pull the trans apart to fix. I'm not saying it will happen just that it can, some people use a screw driver to keep it from moving. If you decide not to just be carful and don't jar the trans

 

[whatusername]

well i did mine about a month or so ago and used no special tool even let the trans slide of the jack to the ground and nothing happened plus the 2 others i pulled from junk yard also nothing happened. but hey mayb i was just luck those 3 times

 

[tweety2300]

Never said it would happen, just that it could. I would rather buy a 3 dollar tool than spend 3 hours trying to figure out how it goes together

 

[whatusername]

tru that so tell the op where to buy the tool... i would like to know too

 

[Installshield 2]

You can use a piece of pipe or a socket, and just tape it in the axle openings in the gear box...

Most open diffs can have this happen...The diff's spider gears ride on guides in there iirc, which aren't designed to fully support them with the axles removed...they'll be fine usually...but a knock to the box at the wrong angle...and the diff has to come out...

there is a Mazda SST, but i've never been able to locate one...and i doubt its realistically priced...

 

[tweety2300]

Some one said you can get them from Mazda for under $10

 

[kenz]

Thanks for the replies. I've searched the site and found some posts were people had no problem and others where the gears dropped out of place. I typically have the luck that would cause them to drop out.

I think I'll try and find a pipe or dowel or something to stick in there just to be safe.

Thanks again for the help.
Ken

 

[kenz]

Well, I found a piece of PVC that is a slightly loose fit. I cut the lenght to fit and taped over the end to hold it in.

Hopefully this works.

Thanks again,
Ken

 

[howellP5]

Any updates on this topic? I'm pulling my trans this weekend and plan on using a piece of dowel. Actually two pieces, cause there is a vertical shaft between the left and right spline gears...