Axle Keeps Popping out on my B6T Festiva

[michaelmiller85]

I'm not sure what the deal is, but every couple of months, one of my axles comes out of the transmission. Why would it do that? Does it have anything to do with the B6T?

What can i do to cure this horrible problem?


Michael

[IdealSociety]

are you using the festy or capri tranny?

[michaelmiller85]

I'm using the Festiva 5spd tranny. It has only happend twice in the last 8,000 miles, and when it happened it was under easy driving conditions.

DO you thing that ring or whatever that keeps the axle in, is somehow worn a bit, causing it to come out when ever?

Michael

[Safety Guy]

I can't understand how this happens to folks.

The split ring retainer on the halfshaft end helps keep the axle in the tranny, but doesn't the control arm and knuckle limit the lateral axle movement?

I'd check your stabilizer bar and control arm bushings to see how worn they may be. Perhaps newer or stiffer rubber would eliminate any slack and prevent this from happening?

Check your ball joints, too. Maybe there is excess movement in them.

Karl

[FB71]

here's what I often saw as a professional mechanic for many years...

someone would r&i (remove and install) a halfshaft, either themselves or another shop. The retaining circlip would pop off and go missing, or, the person reinstalling the halfshaft didn't seat the shaft deep enough for the circlip to do its job. On a sharp turn or other high extention event, the shaft would pop out.

[michaelmiller85]

Thanks for the tips. Right now i'm about 8,000 miles from where my cousin is using the car, but if my memory services me correct, the bushings were about shot. I guess i will have to fool with it when i get back.

Thanks again!

Michael

[Guest]

It doesn't take allot of outter movement to pull it out if the circlip is gone or buggered. I had this same problem on the passenger side of my lowered Festiva. The circlip was replaced 3 times and it just kept popping out. Eventually the shaft came out while I was doing 65mph, and when it tried to go back in on it's own, the 1/4" of spline at the end twisted just enough to offset it from the rest of the spline. Tow truck...

We finally fixed mine by unassembling the joint, sliding the outter/center piece about 1/2" over the end of the shaft and tigging it. This puts the outter end of the joint closer to the trans so it can't possibly pull out even under hard cornering.