I am having a horrible time removing my left cv axle assembly. I have broken the old axle, two chisels, a crowbar, and the thing won't pop out. Any suggestions? I have to get back on the road.. I'm about to hook my truck up to it and yank it out.

 

what year/model? I've pulled both shafts out of my '94 850T and was able to pull them out without much trouble... J.C.

 

I removed my pax side drive shaft with a simple flat screw driver wedged against the trans case and tripod on my 2005 S40. Of course I removed the carrier bearing holder and the bottom A arm bolts first. It should not be as difficult as you describe unless something is still holding it in place outside the trans. I believe the axle itself only has a groove where it goes inside the trans. Nothing really to hold on to.

 

 

2001 s40 1.9 turbo. That's the thing, everything i've read doesn't say to undo any bolts, etc. I replaces the right side earlier w/out any issues. Do I need to undo the right side first? Don't understand carrier frame holder? Bottom A arm bolts? No wonder.. I've even talked to Volvo service dept and they said you simply have to pop out the c clamp..

 

The 2005 pax side axle is very long so it has a carrier bearing about in the middle. The bearing holder mounts to the frame so the axle remains straight for 2 feet or so before the first cv joint. I mentioned that in case yours has something similar on the drivers side. I have not replaced the axles on my 2001 yet so I'm not much help with specifics.

Removing the A arm bolts is just an easy way to avoid disconnecting the ball joint in order to pull the hub free of the axle. I always manage to damage the grease boot when I remove the ball joint.

 

There is retainer ring on the shaft which secures it into the tranny.There isnt anything else but it is really trickie to pop it out.You need some 3 feet clearance under the car to be able to use a sizable pry bar.You can use brute force or try to wedge a big screwdriver from one side then attack it with the bar from the other.This is one thing on this car I never ever wanna do it myself at home ever again.
Watch the tranny housing tho do not crack it.

 

on my 850, after dropping the lower control arm, I only needed to give the drivers side shaft a quick tug and it popped out. For the passenger side after dropping the lower control arm and unbolting the bracket on the carrier bearing, it was the same.. a quick tug and the shaft came out of the trans.... guess I was lucky!

 

Sorry to bring back an old thread but where can we get this tool?

 

That would be a Volvo dealership order. You really should not need that tool though.


I had some difficultly with the LHS axle on mine and resorted to using a roofing pry bar with the short end sticking into the axle and the long end running along the axle outwards towards the wheel. if you press the pry bar outwards (towards the front of the car) at various spots on the axle where you can get a reasonably good grip it will eventually come out. Try turning the axle after each try to loosen things up.


See this video from Robert Spinner to understand what I mean. You have to remember that the axle is held in with a circlip so short hard efforts on the pry bar won't work as well as holding the pressure for a longer period of time - this allows the circlip to compress until it gives.


Here's a link to Robert's video:

 

he mentions the clip ring at about 5 minutes. You have to pause it to see the ring. He says to make sure it came out with the axle, but then does not really make sure you see it. Pause it and you can find it in the groove on the stub.

What ever happened in the OP? I guess it got it out. Anyone know?

 

Changed my Driver's side half shaft and it popped out with a small prying force (big screwdriver). Did not take much force, but rotate the shaft 1/4 turn then try again until it pops. There is typically a position where it pops easier, so rotate shady a bit, then pry, then rotate. Again, should not have to pry real hard, don't want to damage the trans case. Be sure your rear wheels are locked with emergency brake and chock them. Then you can put trans in neutral so you can rotate the shaft.