Hey everyone,

I'm currently trying to install the driver side CV axle into a '94 GXE,
however the axle won't pop in. I took the retainer clip from the old axle off, and inserted the old axle just to make sure the seal was correct. I noticed that the retainer clip on the new axle was about twice as thick as the old one.
Could this be my problem, and if so, can I just use the old retainer clip on the new axle?

 

either squeeze the new axle's retainer clip so it can fit in the tranny or u can use the old one if its in good condition...but it should fit wit new axle....it takes a lil swearing but it should fit....and ya while putting the new axle in keep moving it clockwise and eventually it will clip in...

 

How do I squeeze it?
And should it take a lot of force to get the new axle to clip in?

 

Eat a bowl of wheaties, then JAM that ***** in there!!

 

No risk of damaging anything?

 

well it depends if the grooves inside the tranny isnt matched with the axle grooves and u slamming it in then u could damage tranny grooves jus be careful cuz wen axle will clip in its jus gonna slide in wit no problem....

 

jus dont hammer it tho

 

Man, some of you guys are chicken shiets..

 

hrm, still can't get it all the way in, and I'm afraid school starts tomorrow. So I don't have any time to work on it. Will the axle hold without the retainer ring long enough for me to get it to a shop?

 

i wouldn't recommend doing so. especially on a GXE the driverside axle should be super super easy.. when i was doing nc90gxe's 5spd swap, the axle slid out pretty easy, and slid back in just as drama-free. some places say to make sure the gap in the circlip is facing straight down. maybe try that and see if it helps any.

 

okay, thanks everyone.
Finally got it in, turns out a raw hide hammer and anger work really well together.

 

that reminds me of a post i read the first week after i joined

glad to hear you were able to handle it yourself instead of giving up and taking it to the mechanic!

 

well, I'm still going to a mechanic tomorrow morning. I have the right CV axle and inner/outer tierods left. They only want $125 so I might as well.

 

i don't blame you for hating on the inner tierods, but the passenger side axle is very doable by oneself.

 

When I'm refilling the transmission, should the fluid on the dip stick be thick? There's a very very thin line going about 3 inches up it, but the fluid is absent between those two notches that stick out.

 

I remember when I refilled mine it was very thin, almost hard to read on the dip stick, but even how faint it is if you shine a light on it you can still find the line. This however was with new fluid, so I don't know if your fluid is new or old. Just read the procedures in the FSM, or Owners Manual. Do the cold test first, then do the procedure for the hot test next.