Front CV axles

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  • BlapBlap
    E30 Addict
    • Mar 2011
    • 564

    #1

    Front CV axles

    I just bought an IX and im replacing the driver side front boots because theyre torn. I have cv axle out of the hub but i cant seem to get the axle out of the diff. Is there a clip holding it in place? or am i just not pulling hard enough?
  • BlapBlap
    E30 Addict
    • Mar 2011
    • 564

    #2
    Or do i even have to take the axle completely out? Can i just replace both of the boots with the axle still in the diff?

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    • ldsbeaker
      No R3VLimiter
      • Aug 2004
      • 3098

      #3
      You can take the outer CV joint apart (if you got a worthwhile kit, it will have all the clips that you need to put it back together), then slide both boots off.
      There are pics of this on e30tech
      Slicktop City!

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      • dan325iX
        Noobie
        • Nov 2008
        • 7

        #4
        Definitely take the axle out of the diff. Pull harder or use something to pry it out. There is no clip holding it in there. Taking the CV joint apart with the axle off the car is hard enough. I wouldn't want to do it with the axle still in the diff.

        Comment

        • A Sucked Orange
          Mod Crazy
          • Mar 2011
          • 707

          #5
          Use a big screwdriver down by the diff to pop the axles out.

          Comment

          • BlapBlap
            E30 Addict
            • Mar 2011
            • 564

            #6
            i got it out after using a small pry bar. Didnt take much effort either but not im having problems getting the cv off the axle so i can replace the boots. Is there an easy way of getting the snap ring off?

            Comment

            • dan325iX
              Noobie
              • Nov 2008
              • 7

              #7
              A good set of snap ring pliers is your friend here. I've got a rubbish set from Advance Auto with interchangeable tips and it makes the job tougher. Setting the axle in a bench vice is also helpful. I used a punch and hammer to tap the female-splined section of the CV joint off the axle. It takes a bit of patience, but you'll get it. Be careful not to bugger anything up.

              Comment

              • nomansland92
                E30 Mastermind
                • Aug 2010
                • 1657

                #8
                I did my passenger side a month ago and i sware it was the worst thing i've ever done and my drive side just ripped :twisted: So i have to do it all over again. removing the cv joint from the axle is the hardest part, i just using many different types of snap rights pullers and everything. I tried 4 hour and gave up and made my own method. I took a small screw diver and wedged a small section of the clip up and cut one end off, then i graped the other end with pliers and pulled. It was hard but it worked but only do it has a last resort. When you pull the clip through its path it will straighten it as it gets sucked around so you will need a new one. Then once thats out the cv joint can slide off the axle but of course mine was stuck one, i had to beat on it for 30 minutes using a 3 lbs hammer and a brass punch. removal took about 8 hours and reassembly took maybe 45 minutes haha.

                Good luck and you'll need it
                Your signature picture has been removed since it contained the Photobucket "upgrade your account" image.

                IX being restored here

                Ix turbo build here

                Comment

                • BlapBlap
                  E30 Addict
                  • Mar 2011
                  • 564

                  #9
                  Yeah I ended up taking it to a shop because i didnt have a vise, a hammer, or a brass punch and nobody helping me. I just moved into a new place and havent gathered up tools yet. The shop got it off in 10 minutes. After it was all apart, I cleaned it up and put it back together within an hour. Thanks for the help guys :)

                  Comment

                  • Slick_iX
                    Member
                    • Oct 2008
                    • 52

                    #10
                    I had a hard time with both mine. I used an aluminum punch and hit both sides to separate the axle from the cv joint. I didnt think it would come off but after some time it came loose.

                    Comment

                    • xibriz
                      Noobie
                      • May 2011
                      • 21

                      #11
                      Is it possible to demount the CV-joint without taking the axle out?

                      I only need to change the dust covers.

                      Comment

                      • z122643
                        Wrencher
                        • Aug 2011
                        • 286

                        #12
                        [/SIGPIC]"we are so totally screwed!"

                        Comment

                        • spdracrm3
                          E30 Modder
                          • Sep 2009
                          • 959

                          #13
                          i assume your reffering to removing outer cv joint once its removed from front hub ,but leaving axle in diff.

                          yes you can remove the outer joint with axle still in diff (and you can even do the inner boot this way after removing outer) but its a lot easier to do on a bench with a vise holding axle instead of in dirty fenderwell with axle flopping around loose trying to remove the slippery grease covered snapring. and the parts will stay cleaner too

                          not that hard to just pop axles out to service,as seen in above post
                          Last edited by spdracrm3; 11-13-2011, 10:53 AM. Reason: add
                          Angus
                          88 E30M3 X2
                          89 325IX
                          92 R100GS/PD
                          :)

                          Comment

                          • xibriz
                            Noobie
                            • May 2011
                            • 21

                            #14
                            It looked verry easy in the link... Ill give it a try :)

                            Comment

                            • nando
                              Moderator
                              • Nov 2003
                              • 34827

                              #15
                              Originally posted by xibriz
                              Is it possible to demount the CV-joint without taking the axle out?

                              I only need to change the dust covers.
                              why?

                              by the time you've got access to the outter CV, all you have to do is give it a good tug and it comes out of the diff.

                              there's simply no point in trying to do this with the axle in the car, getting it out of the diff is the easy part..
                              Build thread

                              Bimmerlabs

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