Stuck inboard axle joint

[fuxxy]

I'm trying to replace my driver side C/V joint. I've fought this thing for 3 straight days trying to get it out. I've tried a chisel between the inboard joint and the transmission housing, I've tried drilling a hole in the side of the joint, and put a shackle with a slide hammer, I've tried removing the passenger side axle and running a long drift punch, all to no effect.

The joint has some lateral play (it slides in and out) about 3mm, which tells me it isn't stuck, just the keeper spring is holding it. At this point I'm to my wit's end, and I don't want to damage the transmision housing.

I'm in the process of removing the engine & transmission so I can take the transmission housing apart. Is there anything I need to keep in mind during this process? Will I even be able to get the transmission housing apart with the driver side axle still attached?l

At this point, would it even be more cost-effective to head to the parts yard and grab another auto trans and just replace it?

[_-Night-Shade-_]

The punch through the passenger side didn't do it? Dang, might have to take it to a shop then.

[Ryan]

Did you try the ancient art of BFH? If you add beer, it works better.

[fuxxy]

The punch didn't work because after I remove the passenger CV joint, there's a big pin going across the hole. only about 5mm gap between the side of the pin and the driver side.

I've used 3 BFH's, and it's getting to the point where I'm scared I'm going to crack my housing.

[Ryan]

Did you try a combination of prybar and BFH? I'm just throwing ideas out there. I had some trouble with mine, but it came eventually....

[Mi|<E]

Use a prybar and give it little thrusts while turning the axle 45 degrees each
time. Wiggle it in all directions too, its just a C clip that your fighting against

[mitmaks]

I just used tire iron as a prybar

[KL01 FrEaK]

Hmmmm, whats really weird is i didnt have this prob at all, my driver side CV of my manual came out mainly by hand with very little persuasion from a 6in prybar, going in was a diff story that PMO bad, but hmmmm, i wish there was an air hammer....that would pull instead of push.....maybe some contraption like that would work

[fuxxy]

Just an update - I had to pull the engine to get big enough swings with my BFH. About 3 big whacks after setting the chisel, and she was out.

Had some damage on the tip though, not sure how that happened (possibly from the drift punch earlier?)

Sure glad I didnt pay a shop to do this!

[94mx3precidia]

nice, sucks that you loose the core value though.