308 Axle won't release - HELP! | FerrariChat
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308 Axle won't release - HELP!

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Impactco, May 5, 2006.

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  1. Impactco

    Impactco Formula 3

    Jan 29, 2006
    1,615
    #1 Impactco, May 5, 2006
    I finally got around to starting the CV boot replacement on my 308. I sprayed all the nuts with PB Blaster several times over 3 days, but getting the outside bolts off were tough and took about 2 hours. Very difficult to get leverage on jack stands!! One of the nuts deformed and I had to cut it off with a dremel. I was careful to get a box wrench on the others and they all eventually broke free. The insides were a breeze with an impact wrench and a 24" extension I had them all out in 5 minutes. I thought I was home free - but no! The outside cv joint just dropped off the flange but the side on the transmission will NOT release no matter what I do. I have banged on the cv joint with a hammer from every angle to no avail. What can I do to get this sucker off? Thanks for any help!
     
  2. smg2

    smg2 F1 World Champ
    Sponsor

    Apr 1, 2004
    16,466
    Dumpster Fire #31
    Full Name:
    SMG
    #2 smg2, May 5, 2006
    umm, were you wrenching on the bolts or the nuts? the nuts are held from rotation by the flange on the output shaft and the beering hub. as to why the CV isn't coming off, not sure. if you have all the bolts out is should pop free, however you'll need to undo the suspension becouse i don't believe there is enough room to free the axel with it in place.
     
  3. Impactco

    Impactco Formula 3

    Jan 29, 2006
    1,615
    #3 Impactco, May 5, 2006
    I used an 8mm impact hex on the bolts. Actually, there is room to remove it, if it would release.
     
  4. chrismorse

    chrismorse Formula 3

    Feb 16, 2004
    2,150
    way north california
    Full Name:
    chris morse
    #4 chrismorse, May 5, 2006
    Two weeks ago I repacked my CV joints, (77gtb).

    I found that the nuts were so tight that even the lip on the flange was not enough to hold them and i had to use visegrips on the outter CV nuts to break them free.

    Definitely did not have to undo the suspension to pull the axles. but i did have to remove the muffler to get the axle out the right side - is there an easier way???

    My car has 26k on it and i noticed that the PO had tried to seal the boots with some red RTV Sillycone, probably because the boots slipped off because he was using the simple dimpled fold over boot straps. These straps do not have anything to keep them tight except for folding the strap end over. I highly recommed the clamps that have tabs that fold over on the strap once it is tightened and bent over. These are available from napa, as well as a great tightening tool. Cheaping out on a $2.00 strap and having to redo the boot job would be a major pain.

    I would suggest a brass drift punch and a hammer to "Tap" the stuck cv. Rotate the cv about 90 degrees between love taps. Maybe hit it at a 30-45 degree angle and work your way around. If you have the bolts all undone, it should come off :)

    hth,
    chris
     
  5. Impactco

    Impactco Formula 3

    Jan 29, 2006
    1,615
    #5 Impactco, May 5, 2006

    Thanks - it's off! I used a sledge hammer and a 12" chisel and it finally released. Thanks to Marankie for this solution!

    Yeah, the outer nut that deformed and turned against the flange was a bastard but a dremel solved that, sliced that sucker right in half.. For the other outer nuts I simply put a 17mm open end wrench on before I tried to break the bolts loose. I wedged the wrench in the A arm and this kept the nuts from deforming. The inner bolts were a cake walk with the impact wrench and not one nut deformed!

    I did not have to remove the exhaust or suspension to remove the axle. I guess the euro spec cars have a little more room for this operation.

    I bought the Napa clamps and tool. The question is, how tight do you make the bands? - I don't want to cut through the boot!
     
  6. chrismorse

    chrismorse Formula 3

    Feb 16, 2004
    2,150
    way north california
    Full Name:
    chris morse
    #6 chrismorse, May 5, 2006
    This is a tough one. I used a ratchet and tightened, maybe 10 foot pounds and watched as the band compressed the boot. You kind of get a sense of rising tightness and a resistance to compression of the rubber boot. Bend the tool and tab over, maintaining tightness, then bend in the locking tabs and trim the excess.

    hth,
    chris
     
  7. RVIDRCI

    RVIDRCI Formula 3

    Dec 1, 2005
    1,576
    Long Beach / Phoenix
    Full Name:
    Luigi
    #7 RVIDRCI, May 5, 2006
    EUREKA !!!!
    Now we Know ALL the tricks.
    -L
     

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