Stuck axle...

[Grey Vw]

Welcome to my world.

[Movin]

Somebody needs to invent a new inner CV that has a push button and ball retainer
like some ratchet wrenches then we could go circlipless!!!

Don't buy german cars either, those spring loaded clips that have to be compressed
are a disaster!!

If a spring could be loaded inside the tripod keeping constant pressure pushing the
inner shaft into the transmission, we could go clipless. That might be a really
good idea, any thoughts??

[Advancedynamix]

Not that this will help you now, but the reason people have problems with the axles not coming out is because of technique. you shouldn't try to force the axle out, once you gouge the circlip then it's gonna be a PITA. The trick is you pull some pressure on the axle, while doing a rowing motion around in circles with the axle. similar to a row boat, but while pulling outward. Don't tug on it or apply a bunch of pressure. You also may need to spin the axle while doing this, but be cautious of this because it can cause the little gear inside to rotate around when you have one axle out already.
The rowing motion allows the circlip to compress and slide into its little grove. It is very important that you do not tug or slide hammer the axle unil that cir clip is compressed into it's grove. When it compresses, the axle should just slide out. These axles only get "stuck" under extreme circumstances where the transmission was without any oil or the car had an engine fire or the circlip is worn from age (usually caused by blown diff bearings) or the circlip has been damaged. I pull hundreds of axles a year out of cars at the salvage yards for research purposes, and this is a "must know" trick with these clip retained axles.

[scitzz]

is there any way to make a fork like object to go through the diff and around the pin in the diff so you could hammer on the cv shaft from the other side? i hope that made sense

That isn't a horrible idea, or perhaps if he can get something thin through from the one side, to collapse the gap in that circlip....

[scitzz]

Not that this will help you now, but the reason people have problems with the axles not coming out is because of technique. you shouldn't try to force the axle out, once you gouge the circlip then it's gonna be a PITA. The trick is you pull some pressure on the axle, while doing a rowing motion around in circles with the axle. similar to a row boat, but while pulling outward. Don't tug on it or apply a bunch of pressure. You also may need to spin the axle while doing this, but be cautious of this because it can cause the little gear inside to rotate around when you have one axle out already.
The rowing motion allows the circlip to compress and slide into its little grove. It is very important that you do not tug or slide hammer the axle unil that cir clip is compressed into it's grove. When it compresses, the axle should just slide out. These axles only get "stuck" under extreme circumstances where the transmission was without any oil or the car had an engine fire or the circlip is worn from age (usually caused by blown diff bearings) or the circlip has been damaged. I pull hundreds of axles a year out of cars at the salvage yards for research purposes, and this is a "must know" trick with these clip retained axles.

Tell me what you think of this. Sometimes, when it comes tome to install the axle, with new circlip, I will notice that I can't get the new axle in. So I usually will give it a squeeze with a pair of pliers, making it a bit smaller. Not so small that it doesn't do the job, but when I go to remove then 100K hard miles later, I don't have a heck of a lot of trouble.

[denguy]

What is it's job anyway?

[Movin]

It prevents lateral motion of the inner cv inside shaft, and the resulting oil spill
and possible loss of power to the wheel
I agree that most are no problem, maybe one in a hundred.
I also agree that the problems I have run into were human caused
by neglect to inspect or and improper installation technique.
wrong retainer has caused grief on other cars but not a festy..yet.

[denguy]

The way I see it is that the shaft is trapped in place inside the sidegears by the combined suspension components on each side. There is no way they can come out unless they get torn off the car taking the wheel and hubs with them. Considering the relative ease of axle removal attributed to the methods described in this thread the circlips wouldn't do much to keep the axle in place anyway during some sort extra violent suspension event.

[stonemaster]

I agree that most are no problem, maybe one in a hundred.
.

well i know now when it comes my turn WTF my problems gonna be :cry_smile:

[GenevaDirt]

It prevents lateral motion of the inner cv inside shaft, and the resulting oil spill
and possible loss of power to the wheel
I agree that most are no problem, maybe one in a hundred.
I also agree that the problems I have run into were human caused
by neglect to inspect or and improper installation technique.
wrong retainer has caused grief on other cars but not a festy..yet.

The way I see it is that the shaft is trapped in place inside the sidegears by the combined suspension components on each side. There is no way they can come out unless they get torn off the car taking the wheel and hubs with them. Considering the relative ease of axle removal attributed to the methods described in this thread the circlips wouldn't do much to keep the axle in place anyway during some sort extra violent suspension event.

as posted above. It keeps the splines where they belong and keeps the axle mated with the seal properly. If it is not there the axle can slide out far enough to have fluid loss.

[georgeb]

The way I see it is that the shaft is trapped in place inside the sidegears by the combined suspension components on each side. There is no way they can come out unless they get torn off the car taking the wheel and hubs with them. Considering the relative ease of axle removal attributed to the methods described in this thread the circlips wouldn't do much to keep the axle in place anyway during some sort extra violent suspension event.

When the control arms go down the axle must get longer to make up the diff. The inner joint allows for about an inch. You want the joint to do it, not the axle sliding in and out of the side gears.

[denguy]

I have jacked up the front end to take the wheels off many times leaving the struts extended down as far as they can go and the axles are no where near coming out of the trans.

[georgeb]

I have jacked up the front end to take the wheels off many times leaving the struts extended down as far as they can go and the axles are no where near coming out of the trans.

Your inner joints are doing their job. But if they ever lose their in-and-out capability due to dirt or lack of lube (unlikely), the stub in the side gear will be picking up the slack. It's not made to work that way but might be okay as you have demonstrated. Old car driveshafts slid in and out of the trans that way without issues.

[denguy]

Since the outer end of the shaft is locked to the suspension the inner end must be able to slide in and out a bit on it's splines as the suspension articulates due to varying driving conditions.

[GenevaDirt]

both inner and outer joints move in and out....for suspension travel purposes. If you leave the clip off, even though the axle does not disengage from the tranny, the splined section can move in and out, wearing out the seal, or making it lose its seal on the clean surface it needs. Also if the axle does not stay in where it is supposed to then it can cause an unbalance and wear out the seal and bearing inside the tranny. I have had this happen and the only solution is to replace or repair the tranny.