Removing FWD driveshafts??

[TheStitt]

As the question says

I'm trying to get the front axles out of a 01 Magna Wagon, I've got the o/b side of drive shaft out and free, out of the disc brake, however can't get the inboard side/gearbox side out.

Hayes Manual just says to pry them out but that doesn't seem to be working any tips or tricks???

[Gary]

i use a prybar and put some arm into it. passenger side are always pricks and take a bit of arm

a nice meaty pinchbar will do it, ive tried with a couple large screwdrivers but they dont work too well. be careful not to damage the shaft seals, otherwise its easssy

putting it back in, you'll see theres a fat circlip thing at the end of the splined bit of the shaft, try your best to center that properly and insert the shaft into the diff as dead straight as you can, mind the shaft seals again too. if that ring isnt reasonably centered, it'll hang out and prevent the shaft from seating

[vanman]

Much easier to have the driveshaft end still in with either the bolts holding the hub to the strut removed, or the ball joint undone, so you can use the weight of the hub and suspension swinging outward to pop the shaft out of the gearbox. Then remove driveshaft end, much easier in this order IMHO...

Cheers
Vanman

[madmont]

Much easier to have the driveshaft end still in with either the bolts holding the hub to the strut removed, or the ball joint undone, so you can use the weight of the hub and suspension swinging outward to pop the shaft out of the gearbox. Then remove driveshaft end, much easier in this order IMHO...

Cheers
Vanman

Do those Magnas have something to hold the inner joint together?
On assembly I use the driveshaft in slide hammer fashion to refit the inner joint.

[TooF]

never done it on a magna but other cars ive always used a brass bar and a good whack with the hammer and it generally pops out no worries.

[TheStitt]

thanks guys.

I got the job done.

The right hand one just fell out. The left, jusy had no access around diff and front lower suspension arms. We had pry bars, screwies, I was taping it the lot. Didn't come out.

In the end we undid the inner CV boot and pulled the joint apart. Once the gear box was on the floor I had to use my ball joint fork and a large hammer to get it to come out.

and as you said mad mount just used the drive shaft like a slide hammer and got it to knock itself in

thanks for the info guys +1's all round