Thread: How to: Remove an axle

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

Hmmnm axle could be off, although I'd usually trust a Napa axle more than most. Ensure the axle nut is snugged up and see if the issue seems to happen more when lightly turning left/right.

Originally Posted by Fivefingerdeathpunch

Correct the spec is 118 ft lbs, Let us know if the new axle fixes your problem.

No odd sounds when turning at any degree of angle or speed. But, found 2 things today. Axle nut wasn't at the specified torque, so corrected that. Took a short test ride, found improvement in the ride but still had a slight vibration. Pulled both wheels off and did a hands on check of both CV shafts.

New one, the inner half had some play where it slid slightly back and forth on the trans stub spline but wouldn't pull out. However, that was done with the outer half still secured in the hub.

Old shaft, was like a rock with no movement at all.

This weekend I'll be removing the new CV shaft to see if;
Either, the retaining ring is actually still in place where it belongs, or if the machined groove for the retaining ring was cut correctly into the female spline of the inner CV half by checking it against the measurements I took today on the removed OEM shaft.

Originally Posted by red bearded goat

No odd sounds when turning at any degree of angle or speed. But, found 2 things today. Axle nut wasn't at the specified torque, so corrected that. Took a short test ride, found improvement in the ride but still had a slight vibration. Pulled both wheels off and did a hands on check of both CV shafts.

New one, the inner half had some play where it slid slightly back and forth on the trans stub spline but wouldn't pull out. However, that was done with the outer half still secured in the hub.

Old shaft, was like a rock with no movement at all.

This weekend I'll be removing the new CV shaft to see if;
Either, the retaining ring is actually still in place where it belongs, or if the machined groove for the retaining ring was cut correctly into the female spline of the inner CV half by checking it against the measurements I took today on the removed OEM shaft.

this is just a stupid question.....tires balanced? orrrrr, do they have uneven wear from being out of alignment?

Originally Posted by Shiftingshaddow

this is just a stupid question.....tires balanced? orrrrr, do they have uneven wear from being out of alignment?

Simple answer, tires are new and "I" installed them the week before installing the new CV shaft. That's when I found the inner boot had failed. Both discarded front tires had even wear, no issue with position of the steering wheel being off center and the car tracks straight rollin down the road.

I understand your intention is to help and your question is relavant, but if you read all my previous posts you would have read the vibration started AFTER installing a new CV shaft from Napa and only occurs under acceleration. No vibration when my foot is off the go pedal.... its smooth as silk then.

oh, well, i'm sorry to ruin you're day.

Originally Posted by Fivefingerdeathpunch

I run napa axles in my car and havent had an issue, but thats not to say your new axle you bought is a bad new part.

If it was me, I would replace the other side aswell, just to see if that one is the cause. Then if the problem is still there, I would get a new one for the drivers side.

Also make sure your motor mounts arent blown out or smashed from age, that can throw off the axle geometry.

Thanks for the advise, looks to have hit the problem dead on. Sunday I removed the drivers side axle again, but found nothing wrong (inner half spline is identical to the removed OEM CV part, measured with a vernier caliper) so I re-installed it. Removed the passenger front tire for access to change the filter/oil and got a great visual of the engine mount. Its blown. Since the trans mount appears to be sound but the engine mount has failed and suspect the new CV shaft install further disturbed an already existing engine alignment problem, I'll do all the mounts and passenger side CV, starting with replacing the failed engine mount and hope that corrects the vibration issue.

Any advise on parts preference... OEM vrs aftermarket from ?? or typical auto parts store stuff from Anchor, Westar, DEA which all have less than stellar reviews. I also see they can be purchased as solid or hydraulic....

This thread was a life saver for me today.

Glad to hear it. Parrty on Garth

Glad it helped...

How did it save your ass though, I could see it saving on some sneaker tread...lol

I replaced the passenger side cv shaft on my '04 comp g this past weekend and I'm concerned that I didn't get the new shaft in all the way. It's my first axel replacement and I did a lot of Googling first Almost everything says there will be a snap or click when the new shaft is in all the way. Mine just slide in and stopped. All the pounding, pushing and wrestling in the world didn't make it move. I was so unsure I tapped it back out and tried again, same thing.

There is about 3/4" between the tranny and the housing on the shaft. The drivers side is much tighter, 1/4". I compared it to the old one and based on corrosion it appears to have had a similar depth. I have attached pictures.

Sorry if this sounds like I'm over thinking this but I always suspect the worst when a job goes to smoothly.






BTW thanks for a great write up

Yes..it's in. That is the correct amount of axle to stick out.. it's decieving.

Yes. Did when mine went bad

No.