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Hank,

Since you said you have the other axle out, you should be able to see the stub from the other side.

Get a piece of steel rod or pipe that is smaller than the the stub spline, place it against the stub though the tranny case, and whack the snit out of it directly.

You likely have a screwed up retainer clip. They can cause real problems sometimes.

Rod S

Are you rebuilding a transmission or disconnecting the transmission to pull the engine? If the latter, just pull off the boot and pull out the axle, leaving the end in the transmission. Rod makes a good point; I've had this happen to me as well. I'd hit the "snot" out of it if a "snit" is not enough

There are slide-hammer CV joint tools that work, you can probably rent one.

When you a using a hammer or crow-bar, be careful not to damage the trans case , esp where the seal is seated.

Something I read somewhere that worked for me was to push it in (so that the clip isn't jammed) rotate the axle 180 degrees (or was it 90? ) between pulls. Rotating the axle also might help when you are trying to get it back in...

Dave

I will try and find the tool I made. Everything up here (North) has been stored for the winter. Will try and post the picture of it. I can't get to our cars so won't be able to show how it works and where the bolts need to be. It takes me about 2 minutes or less to get the axle out. I use it all the time as we have two cars and no spare short shaft. So when we take one car I can easily take it off for a spare. Pat

I have downloaded the picture but can't attach or copy it to a post. Is there a way? Pat

goolsbey wrote:I have downloaded the picture but can't attach or copy it to a post. Is there a way? Pat

If you send it to me (info@specracer.com), I will post it...

Bob,
I'm not rebuilding the transmission. I'm just trying to pull the axle out to grease up the CV joints as part of winter maintenance.

Rod,
Looking through the axle hole on the right/starboard side of the transmission, there is a fairly large pin between the axles that would block anything but a small diameter rod from from reaching through that hole to touch the axle shaft on the opposite side. And that rod would need to be about 30" long in order to reach to the outside the frame far enough to be able to get a good swing at it. Is that what you're talking about?

Goolsby,
Have you ever used that tool of yours and pulled out the axle and found that the retaining clip has been damaged in the process?

In general,
The last time I removed this axle (I think it was this side), the retaining clip was damaged as if each of the splines of the transmission had each bent it. It was kind of zig-zaged, but it did come out in one piece. So I had to put in a new clip when I re-assembled it. It feels like the same thing is happening this time. But I get the feeling that if I put any more force on the tulip, something will break. I mean, I put a helluva lot of force on that tulip when I wedged 2 large screwdrivers in between it and the case and pounded them in with a sledge hammer.

Has anyone ever broken anything serious by putting too much force on the tulip? It feels like the retaining clip might get broken into about 20 pieces by the splines.

I found this tool on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/OTC-7509-Inner-Jo ... pd_sxp_f_r
Maybe that's what I need? I wonder if that would fit the Ford Escort inner CV joint properly? Maybe that would provide that "pop" that's needed?

Hank,

I have also used a simple crowbar (wide and flat styled) as pictured here:

http://www.toolup.com/estwing_hb-21_21- ... QgodNRMAog

Between the joint and the transmission case.

Rod S

Hank, no I have not had the problem with the clip. The tool I made applies pressure equally and I believe that helps. I will send the picture to Dave. I made it out of 1/8 inch and over time it has bent a bit on the long end of the tool. I am thinking of making another with 3/16 inch stock.

goolsbey wrote:Hank, no I have not had the problem with the clip. The tool I made applies pressure equally and I believe that helps. I will send the picture to Dave. I made it out of 1/8 inch and over time it has bent a bit on the long end of the tool. I am thinking of making another with 3/16 inch stock.

Here is Pat's picture (a little small).

I've seen retaining clips that look a little serrated, assumed that was what made them so hard to get out.

The OTC tool is like the one I have. I've only had to use it twice, it is a little cumbersome to get in there, but it has worked for me.

Dave