I'm in the process of changing the CV boots on my 96 Maxima. I've got the left side axle out and working on the right side.

The front right hub is separated, but I can't get the bearing that holds the axle up along the right side to separate. I have the 3 bolts out and the seal is broken between the two halves (There's a visible crack), but I can't get the two halves to separate in order to get the axle shaft to slide out.

I've tried putting a punch wedge in there an pounding on it, but it won't come apart. I've also tried pulling on the axle, but I don't want to pull to hard that I damage the innner joint.

Anyone have any ideas?

Mike

No replies, but I did get SOMETHING figured out (for anyone interested). I ended up NOT removing the axle, but knocked off the outer joint while the axle was still in the car and clean/regreased and replaced the boot. The inner boot was OK, so I didn't change that, but I could have just as well replaced that boot with the axle still in the car.

Mike

Was it difficult to knock out the outer joint? What kind of hammer? And how many blows? Did you hit on one place or multiple places?