Especially stubborn cv axle

[Ogresan]

I have a 5 speed out of a 92 Festiva that I cannot get the driver side cv axle out of. I feel if I pry any harder or hit my pry bar (heavy 36") with a bigger hammer (12 lb sledge!) the trans case may crack. I dont think I will be able to punch it out from the other side as there is a bar of some sort running down the middle of the differential obscuring most of the axle. It looks like I may have to disassemble the whole thing, I don't want to do that as I need it ASAP for my Aspire. Any advice?

I also am curious if there are any very hard to find parts that I should strip off of the 92 before it goes to the wrecker. Thanks to all who have contributed in the past, your advice to others has been invaluable to me keeping the old festy running.

[eurotiva]

I use very thin long flat screwdriver and go around pin, then hammer

[Ogresan]

I'll give it a try. Is there anything I should avoid doing so as to not wreck the transmission? The axle is junk btw.

[bravekozak]

In the Ford shop manual, it shows using a large scredriver to apply a little pressure. Then take a small hammer and tap around the bell of the transaxle. It's like ringing a bell. The idea is to center the circlip on the end of the axle spline. This technique has always worked for me. I hope you haven't pinched or bent your circlip due to previous brute force. It should pop out easily.

[WmWatt]

Some have had success tapping on the axle while rotating and pulling.
As mentioined above the circular clip on the axle has to be in alignment.
I've sat on the ground with a foot on the housing pulling and rotating until the axle comes out.
Good luck.

[Ogresan]

Thanks for the help guys. I'm sure I'll get it out with one of these methods. Strong arming it definately isn't working.

[eurotiva]

Treat it like you love it and it'll be nice to you

[Ogresan]

Well I tried everything above with no success. There is still about 1/8" play in and out so I don't think it is jammed. I have tried a pickle fork to try and wedge it out but that hasn't worked either. Can it be removed if I disassemble the transmission and diff?

[shadetree]

If the seal isn't leaking take it apart at the boot and swap joints ! Done

[Ogresan]

The seal wasn't leaking but its mangled now. I don't see how it has resisted everything! It's as though it was welded together! Pretty sure I will have to replace output shaft and all if I take it apart so I am giving up. Thanks for the help guys, even though it was for naught.

[bravekozak]

I know what you mean. I snagged a connector tongue while attempting to extract it and nothing worked. After a half an hour of patiently kneeling on two different days, I yanked it out, ripping the plastic off and throwing it away. I was lucky that only three of the four terminals on the fuel pump were used and that the male one popped out easily. So what if it doesn't match the wiring diagram 100%. The wire colors are the same and it works.

Ogre, in your case, it's slide hammer time.

[scitzz]

If the axle is junk anyway, yank on it while someone else pries with a screwdriver, see if it pops out.

[muleskinner]

If the axle is junk anyway, yank on it while someone else pries with a screwdriver, see if it pops out.

Yes, That worked for us at the Madness!

[Jblair]

For some reason out of all the cars i have ever done the festiva is the hardest. . . I had a pry bar on one side, another pry bar against another pry bar for leverage, 3contact points, 3 36" bars, very small space to do this, i had my feet on one bar, foot on trans, hand on toe hook, my friend on other side of the car had both feet on pry bars and hand on tow hook. We are both big guys, hit the gym regular. It took us one hour. Rotatingand repeating until she poped out.

[Jblair]

Fyi crobars went flying, we both flew back, use caution