I am replacing both CV axles on my '04 V70 2.5T front wheel drive. Passenger side came out with ease. Drivers side is a nightmare. I have removed the shaft from the spindle end and since the boot was ripped, I yanked it out. What remains is the constant velocity joint? (lets call it CVJ) on the transmission side. From what I understand, this needs to be "popped" loose. I have tried everything I can think of for several hours and this thing WILL NOT BUDGE!

I tried tapping a cold chisel/large screwdriver/prybar between the gearbox and CVJ. I also tried an air hammer (not between gearbox and square piece) but rather toward the outside. I couldnt get a good angle on it. Additionally, I rented a axle puller tool from Autozone (FWD Axle Puller Adapter | AutoZone.com), it didnt fit in there very well at all (too thick to get between the pieces). My fear in wedging things between the CVJ and the gearbox is damaging the gearbox. Any tips for this?? Anyone know where I can get a "jimmy" tool, or do I just need a damn bigger hammer!!

 

Have you seen this video? Go to 4:40. Use that carpenters tool, they pop right out.

 

Rspi if he is using an air hammer and it won't come out using that I doubt a hand tool will take it out. I have encountered a couple of axles that just refuse to come out so I just spent a good amount of time with an air hammer angling it to take the axle loose. But doing that you will to replace the axle.

 

I don't know, there is a lot to be said about leverage. I have read a lot of nightmare threads about people getting those out of the drivers side, including breaking bones in ones hands. I have pulled several of these and have not had one take longer than a minute to get out with the carpenters tool.

I have had issues getting the splines out of the hub.

At any rate, they can be a pain in the rear. :/

 

I agree, if an air hammer isn't working, that little tool isn't going to work.

I've pulled plenty of axles for various reasons. About 80% of the time, they come right out. Sometimes I can pull them out by hand with no tools needed. I would say you've gotten the ones like that, Robert.

I have had some that have absolutely fought me. Yes, leverage is key. And the length of a prybar directly impacts leverage. I've had them where my 4 foot pry bar wouldn't pop them out. The one that fought me the most was on a car I was replacing the transmission on, luckily. So damaging the transmission case was not a concern to me. That one came out with a straight pry bar (with a wedge shaped end) hammered in between the joint and the transmission. No damage was done, but be careful, because it should could have cracked the transmission.

 

Have you ever damaged or seen a transmission damaged? Cracked casing?

 

Well, I had another bout in the garage today. Score: Volvo 2, Me 0... I'll add that this "isnt my 1st bbq behind a wrench" and I've tried every trick I can think of! THis is my first Volvo half shaft, however....

I was hopeful that the pry bar might work, or even 2 pry bars but no luck. I think the pry bars may be a different shape now than when I started! I'm going to have to go and get another bar or a helper. I'm just afraid that a bigger bar might put a hole in the side of that tranny! I have not damaged the trans yet, and got a little more agressive with the cold chisel and hammer today to no avail. It kills me to beat on this thing... The car is in excellent condition with 85K miles. I was literally moving the whole engine/trans back and forth with my foot on the bar. This thing is TIGHT! Why me!??

What type of air hammer do you guys use? I have a small Husky brand which works nicely on ball joints and such but I dont know if it is any match for this thing.

 

Sometimes you really have to beat on it past the point when you are going to break something to get them off. I've broken the Volvo special tool trying to take one of them off. I always use my snap on air hammer to get the job done.

 

I have not broken a transmission doing this, but it is certainly possible. It's just aluminum.

I have broken the Volvo special tool though, as damien said.

Sometimes, I think the trick is more to wedge something between the axle and transmission and hit it rather than pry it. But really, at this point I don't think there is much I can say to help over the internet. It sounds like you've tried it all.

I have a Matco air hammer. A small Husky one might not be the best bet here.

 

I have had to hit my carpenters pry bar with a small 4 lb sledge hammer a couple of times on one of the axles. It did pop out after 2 or 3 taps.

 

Yeah but I almost guarantee that the driving force of an air hammer far exceeds that of a hit from a 4 pound hammer. Sometimes that axle just does not want to come out even from blows from a hammer to a 4 foot pry bar.

 

When you guys use the air hammer, where do you put it? Which type of "attachment" do you use on the air hammer? Are you putting the air hammer between the trans and the constant velocity joint?? I'm not done trying yet...

 

You can try to put it there and see if you get the chisel between both components. Sometimes that doesn't work for me so I put it it k. The actual housing of the axle hit it a couple of times, rotate the axle a bit and hit it again to get it from all angles

 

Did you try my carpenters tool suggestion like I showed in the video?

 

Yes, of course - this is one of the first things I tried. After bending the bar like a pretzel, I got a shorter bar. Then I tried 2 bars. I could see the entire engine/trans moving back/forth when I had my foot on the bar. Then I beat on the bar with a 3lb sledge... Thank you for the suggestions guys, I'm going for round 3 today..

 

I finally got it out. Here's how I did it for those who are as unfortunate as I am! I first went and picked up a couple more pry bars. I got some thicker ones and quickly bent them sideways!

Then I decided it was time to get more agressive. I put the cold chisel on the air hammer and went after it. I wedged the cold chisel in good into one side between the trans and the constant velocity joint. I then got a bigger cold chisel (12") and drove it in the opposite side with a 3 lb sledge (lightly). Suddenly, I hear a "pop" and the shaft came out. The transmission shows some minor scarring but I dont think I messed anything up - THANK GOD! Thanks for your help guys....

 

As long as the trans isn't cracked, you're fine. Glad you got it.

 

Wow! Glad to read you got it. Hope I never run into any stuck like that. I would probably put things back together and have it towed (or drive it) to a shop. Thanks for updating the thread.