I've got a problem.
While I was replacing the front driver's side strut, the CV boot completely tore off and the axle separated...

I put the strut back on and tried to place the axle back in the bearing but it only went in about hald an inch.

When I got the car moving again, there was a clunk and then ticking.
I figured that the axle fell out.

Sure enough, it did.

How do I get the axle back in?

When I tried to remove the big nut that holds the rotor in place, my breaker bar broke...

Even if I got that part off, I don't know how I would put it in again.

I'm afraid that if I take it to a shop (to replace the cv boot) they're gonna fuss about the axle comming off and saying that I need to replace the whole darn thing.

I could use a bit of help.

How do you put the axle in the bearing?
Is there an easier way to take off the rotors/bearings?


(EDITED: When I said Axle, I meant shaft)

 

that axle nut can be a *****. the best way is a good, BIG impact gun; it should only be torqued to 170-230, but it was torqued higher on my car and it might be on yours, too, and that might be the only way you can do it.

 

just give it some heat next time u want to remove one it will come off

 

Last fall mine came out when my control arm broke. We just shoved it back in by hand and it went in all the way. Perhaps try unbolting the control arm at the front nut from the strut assm and see if that gives you the play you need?

 

That is really strange for the axle to come out like that, the axle simply slides in and out of grooves in the tranny but the knuckle should have held it in pretty close to where that shouldn't have happened but it should slide in and the "circular cylinder" should pretty close to the tranny maybe half a finger gap or so, if it is farther away it it not seated right, but it simply slides in, push it hard until it is seated.

 

Do I need to replace the cv shaft?

 

spray some WD 40, go to harbor freight and buy a large 3/4 breaker bar and a socket 1/2 adaptor and then try it again. you will need to remove the clip that holds the brake line. that right there should give you enoug clearance to pull the axle from the center of the brake rotor. If your axle just slid out like that, I d highly advise you to open up the ring that locks in place. If you do not do that the axle will eventually snap out of place. It just happened to me two times!!!

 

Issues with getting the axle nut off? I saw broken fence with a nice 10 foot pole laying on the ground- I used it for leverage by slipping it over the bar. Nut came off by pressing my pinky at the end of the pole.

 

I don't need to know anything about your pinky or your pole

Nah -thats the right way to go about it!

 

sounds funny but tell you what, that fence piping sometimes is 100 times stronger then a snap on impac gun!!!

 

I have bought 2-3 different lengths of 3/4" gas black pipe from the local hardware store. I use those over the breaker bar and have broken everything loose... I have never had to undo the axle nuts however. I just did a tranny drain/fill and the pan bolt was tightened as though the car was being held together by it... I had to use one of those pipes for extra leverage... used my little toe to break it loose!

 

Hey! I'm a girl, so I dun have a pole of my own. But it's probably the longest, stiffest pole I've ever gripped, and the most satisfaction I've ever gotten out of one too...

 

Sounds like a quote from Hustler Mag.

 

You are freaking hilarious....Did you use that line on your man too? kidding