[sternman318]

So I am trying to remove the front cv axle so I can replace the oil seal on the differential. Got the call joint out and was pulling on the hub to remove the axle, and it started sliding.. except it was sliding from the boot end. Picture attached. Did I just break apart my axle?? I really hope I didn't jack it up, or the boot. The Boot has stayed in place. Do I need to pry the boot off? It looks like plastic..

 

[sternman318]

I just drained the differential, and I had tried to push the axle back in and it went a little but , but it's not really going any further. I didn't remove the axle from the wheel hub.

EDIT: Ok used a prybar to seperate the axle from the differential, but I'm concerned about the shaft seperating at the rubber end of boot (photo). Should I just press it back in?

 

[Evil Soob]

anytime I've removed axles, I use a pry bar placed between the end of the axle and the differential then pry and bump the axle. There's a detent on the end of the axle shaft that goes inside the differential and once it pops loose, the axle should slide out. Same going back, the detent will stop the axle from sliding any further until the opposite end of the axle is tapped with a piece of wood or something that won't screw up the threads and a stiff bump from a mallet. It should just pop back into place. I'm not sure of a method to reinsert the axle without separating it from the hub?

 

[sternman318]

anytime I've removed axles, I use a pry bar placed between the end of the axle and the differential then pry and bump the axle. There's a detent on the end of the axle shaft that goes inside the differential and once it pops loose, the axle should slide out. Same going back, the detent will stop the axle from sliding any further until the opposite end of the axle is tapped with a piece of wood or something that won't screw up the threads and a stiff bump from a mallet. It should just pop back into place. I'm not sure of a method to reinsert the axle without separating it from the hub?

Yup I just found the detent, I revisited a video that showed prying it out which I just did. I'm sort of wishing I had just removed it from the hub haha, it may end up happening anyway. I think what I did was pull the shaft from the joint inside the boot, like is this photo. Would I have to reboot it? It seems like its still laterally engaged, despite having axial (in and out) movement.

 

[Evil Soob]

Yup I just found the detent, I revisited a video that showed prying it out which I just did. I'm sort of wishing I had just removed it from the hub haha, it may end up happening anyway. I think what I did was pull the shaft from the joint inside the boot, like is this photo. Would I have to reboot it? It seems like its still laterally engaged, despite having axial (in and out) movement.

As long as the axle doesn't bind or feel wanky when you rotate it by hand and the boot isn't torn, I'd think you are good. I'm not well versed on the internal workings of the CV joints so take that into consideration along with my opinion.
Good luck!

 

[sternman318]

So it looks like I definitely pull the shaft from the join in the boot. When I lean the hub out, the rotating is decoupled, but it I press against it/push in I can reotate the other wheel. So the question is:

Should I try my hand at re-inserting the shaft, or do I need to pull the whole axle then try? I don't want to damaged the splines, and the boot is in great condition.

 

[Richard Pare]

If I understand your post correctly, all you did was cause the boot to slide some on the axle - no big deal.

 

[sternman318]

If I understand your post correctly, all you did was cause the boot to slide some on the axle - no big deal.

Rich,

Yeah all the above was definitely a vomit of words as I sort of did a little freak out haha, my apologies.

So as it stands, I seem to have separated the axle at the differential-side joint. It looks like it's just a splined shaft that needs to be reinserted, but it's not going in easily. I'd prefer not to remove the whole axle to re-engage it, but I think that's what I might have to do.

 

[idosubaru]

The only way it's damaged is if somehow the circlip was compromised and axle pulled, or can pull, through the cage. I doubt that's the case, but I'm not there to see how much, and how, force was applied.

I don't see an immediate issue. Axle boot slid on the axle. The axle has a range of motion in that direction, so there's nothing shocking there if you were pulling that direction in the hopes of getting the axle out of the diff.

As said you should have pried rather than pulled probably, but i've pulled plenty out and many others have accidentally as well. the boot doesn't normally move, but i'm not shocked that it did.

If you pulled it out of the diff just push it back in i tap them back in with a piece of 2x4 worked around the circumference of the cup.

 

[sternman318]

Yeah, so I think I pulled it through the cage.

Video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/jJkDzDCf1zqgFBjR7

Here's the schematic: https://parts.subaru.com/a/Subaru_2.../FRONT-AXLE-DRIVE-SHAFT-07MY-/B13-280-03.html

So I think 28335 is what I jacked up.

 

[sternman318]

So I'm just going to remove the axle entirely, see if I can remove the boot nicely (I have some new CV joint band clamps laying around) and inspect it. I'm hoping I can remove the axle nut and have enough wiggle room to pull it out of the hub.

 

[Brucey]

I just went through this on the Baja.

I've popped them out before but they usually can go back together if you sort of wiggle and push back in.

It's not a big deal, worse case you'll have to take the axle out but I just completely disassembled the axle with it still in the car to get a new boot on.

I was able to just push it back together and the CV went back in it's home and all was OK.

I wouldn't worry about the boot shifting some in the picture you have. It will go back to where it needs to be as you drive it.

 

[sternman318]

Yup, I done did something. Once I removed the boot I was able to seperate with ease, and the clip was sitting propped up. Off to find some youtube videos...

 

[Brucey]

I've got a guide on the site here.

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums...ides/23670-subaru-outback-cv-boot-repair.html

In all honesty I would consider replacing the boot if you haven't already since you already have it off. It will be a huge pain to replace later.

I just did this in the Baja this week and I still have to do the other side too.

 

[sternman318]

*sorry guys this is turning into a workalong*

So seems like I'm find, just need to insert the shaft into the boot cup, then put the snap ring on. I think what happened is I popped the snap ring, and it got lodged and was restricting the ability of the shaft to seat all the way down.

 

[sternman318]

Alright guys, this whole saga is over, really appreciate everyone's advice/insight.

I did some bending and got the large circlip back in shape and in. Everything's going back together alright. Thanks!