Since I recently had to unbolt the trans in my car and lower it so I could change the chipped flexplate. I had to pull both axles as steps to finally getting the job done. I had replaced the let side axle already because it was bad when I bought the car, so I already knew what a pain it was to get that axle out cleanly even though the retaining clip would try it's hardest to keep everything together. I know there is a special tool that Volvo uses to do this easily, but I didn't feel like going out and buying a franchise just to borrow the tool, so I made my own tool.
It was pretty easy, extremely cheap, and made the job SO much easier it wasn't even funny. I took one of my old ball joint spliter forks (I have several.....don't ask why) and I ground down the inside diameter of the fork so the fingers would straddle the axle cleanly, and when slid in to the space through the lower suspension arm and placed around the axle and against the trans casing, a few light taps with a hammer gently pushed the axle cleanly out, releasing the retainer clip, and freeing the axle.
The fork is still in good shape, just shaped a little differently, and will be used again for it's intended purpose. The 5 minutes I spent working with my bench grinder and the fork made the axle removal EXTREMELY easy.



The fork show with the actual left axle.


I just figured I would give anybody the idea if they ever need it, because I know how difficult removing the axle is without the Volvo tool.

 

I was getting ready to replace both of my axles last night and I have one of the very same fork, not ground. Started with a long screw driver and nothing was happening.

Then the pain ibified experienced came into my mind and was overtaken with concern.

Got out from under the car, went to the hub area, and grab the axle. With a huge pull, to my surprise the left axle was laying in my lap.

So replaced both axles, not to tough a job.

Except for those darn axle nuts. Like RSPI has in his video, I now own a 5' breaker bar made from 1.25 ID iron pipe.

 

Nice, thanks for the input. I'm on an axle hunt now.

 

Autoxray - the trouble with getting the left axle out is the retainer clip can hold it in there tightly if you go pulling on it from the hub end and separating the axle tulips (joints) inside the boot, and render the axle useless unless or until you rebuild it. It may come out cleanly at times, but the majority of time the axle is quite happy where it has been for some time, and will be a bear to get out. The fork work on the joint right where the axle enters the trans and separates it there quite easily.

 

I ran into this same problem when I replaced my axles. I did however overcome the retainer clip problem quite easily with a long & large flat head screwdriver and a vice grip. If you don't have a fork and bench grinder, try this trick: Do not try to leverage the axle out by pulling on the screwdriver but try wedging it in between the axle and the tranny then turning the screwdriver shaft with the vice grip. Works like a charm.

 

When all else fails, Loaner Tool from a parts store.

Or try two screwdrivers or smaller pry bars and try to get them across from each other best you can and give it a solid push.

 

Can prying it out bust the tranny housing?

 

There is a urban legend of it happening but I've never come across one. Still , , , I'm pretty cautious as I know I'm prying on aluminum !!! It's why I always try to get two whatever in there. That way I'm applying half the force I would in one place and it's a more balanced, straight out pull rather than getting it cocked to one side using one screwdriver or pry bar.
I've always had them pop out pretty easy with two.

 

I just removed 2 of them and it went smooth with my carpenter's pry bar tool.