Trick to removing CV Joints from axles?

[Deja_Vu]

I'm in the process of replacing my torn rear boots and am stuck at the step of removing the inner CV joint from the axle following this thread. The guy states

To remove the center gear and spider cage you simply need to wiggle the entire joint while pulling down on the outer housing; getting the balls out of the mechanism is a little weird and will take a little maneuvering. Getting the joint pressed down on the outer housing to one angle or another will help, you'll notice whichever way they come out easier.

That is supposed to be done while the CV joint is still on the axle. It sounds like you would just remove the ball bearings by tilting the outer housing and removing them one by one. It doesn't seem like there's enough room to do that as the outer housing is hitting the axle on the bottom.

The Bentley repair manual says to support the inner CV joint and press it off the axle before attempting to removing the inner CV joint/ball bearings. Neither one of these is working for me. Is there some sort of trick or do I just need to press harder?

Some websites are stating to use a brass punch or something softer to knock the axle off. I don't want to screw up the bearings and the amount of grease is dwindling the more I mess with it.

[Chrisbike]

Method one
Step 1: remove circlip and the small boot clamp.
Step 2: find way to secure the axle (I used a 6inch vise)
Step 3: get a BFH, and with the inner joint pointed down hit the boot to knock it off. I used a 32oz deadblow. A rubber mallet may suffice.

Then go ahead and dissemble the spider cage/ balls.

Method two is to get a brass punch or something that won't damage the cage etc and hit it and remove the ball bearings one/two at a time.

Disclaimer: my memory is foggy and don't think I missed anything but I recently rebuilt both rear axles... Give it a shot

[Deja_Vu]

Method one
Step 1: remove circlip and the small boot clamp.
Step 2: find way to secure the axle (I used a 6inch vise)
Step 3: get a BFH, and with the inner joint pointed down hit the boot to knock it off. I used a 32oz deadblow. A rubber mallet may suffice.

Then go ahead and dissemble the spider cage/ balls.

So basically just use the boot as something to help protect the entire CV joint from the mallet? Hitting the outside of the CV joint won't hurt anything?

Method two is to get a brass punch or something that won't damage the cage etc and hit it and remove the ball bearings one/two at a time.

Disclaimer: my memory is foggy and don't think I missed anything but I recently rebuilt both rear axles... Give it a shot

Not quite clear on this. Are you saying to secure the axle as in method one but just hit the inner CV/cage downwards in the same way using a punch?

Thanks for the help. I appreciate it!

[Chrisbike]

So basically just use the boot as something to help protect the entire CV joint from the mallet? Hitting the outside of the CV joint won't hurt anything?

Yeah exactly. The boot protects it; hitting the outside of the cv joint won't damage it as long as you use a deadblow or rubber mallet.

Not quite clear on this. Are you saying to secure the axle as in method one but just hit the inner CV/cage downwards in the same way using a punch?

Thanks for the help. I appreciate it!

Yeah, sorry about that: it's the method that you linked above. Not exactly. Your just hitting the cage in different positions to remove the ball bearings.

[Deja_Vu]

Yeah exactly. The boot protects it; hitting the outside of the cv joint won't damage it as long as you use a deadblow or rubber mallet.

Ah ok. I was worried more about the bearings get jacked up by doing that. Thanks.

Yeah, sorry about that: it's the method that you linked above. Not exactly. Your just hitting the cage in different positions to remove the ball bearings.

sounds riskier. I'll just try the method above. Thanks again man.

[Chrisbike]

Ah ok. I was worried more about the bearings get jacked up by doing that. Thanks.

sounds riskier. I'll just try the method above. Thanks again man.

Yeah good luck! It is and you'll spend the majority of the time searching for the ball bearings that fall on the floor.

[Deja_Vu]

Just thought I'd add my method for getting them off since I didn't have a vice and in case someone comes across this thread. I just used one of those 3 arm gear pullers and it came off easy peasy.

[Kershaw]

I'm glad you were successful. I don't understand what you pushed on though?

I've always found it easier to remove the cv joint, then disassemble the cage.

Does anyone know if the rear cv cage is the same as the front?

[Deja_Vu]

I'm glad you were successful. I don't understand what you pushed on though?

I'm not sure what you mean by pushed on? I didn't say that anywhere - the manual said to push the inner cage off the axle...but that wasn't working.

I've always found it easier to remove the cv joint, then disassemble the cage.

Does anyone know if the rear cv cage is the same as the front?

Yeah I'm not sure how or why the guy in the thread I was following did it. I noticed last night I actually ended up bending the inner "lip" of the CV joint trying to get the ball bearings out that way from the axle pressing into it. It doesn't seem to have messed up the seal the boot but I'm going to keep an eye on it.