Did I break the outer part of the axle?
 

Gents,

I need to replace an axle seal. I loosened the outer, lower, rear control arm bolt and disconnected the upper control arm from the hub carrier and moved it out of the way. Then I used the hub carrier as a lever with the intention of popping the axle out of the diff. Instead, it feels like I popped the axle out of the hub. Did I break something, uncover something already broken, or do I just need to pop whatever back into the hub?

Thanks,

If you didn't remove the axle nut, you probably just pulled your CV apart... if that's even possible.

You should pry between the diff carrier and the axle flange on the diff side to pop an axle out.

The axle splines and CV allow a larger than expected the first time amount of movement. If you didn't pull the axle nut your didn't pull the axle out of the hub unless your a monster.

Pop the axle out of the center section using a padded pry bar or BA screwdriver and you will be able to examine everything.

I could rotate the axle 15 degrees or so independent of the hub, given that the boot holds things in place. I did slide it back in place, but it is not clipped into the hub section. If I were to hold it up by the hub carrier and let it hang, the only thing keeping it from falling out is the boot. My guess from looking at the Shop Manual is the snap ring broke. The axle has 169,000 miles on it and 150+ track days. .

150 track days! No wonder you're poor!

I've done that a couple of times. You can manoeuvre the two parts back together without taking the boot apart, but it can be tricky, it is a while since the last time but ISTR that you hold the axle vertically and work the two parts together.. I doubt you broke anything, but then I don't know how much force you used.

I would think you need to get the stub axle out of the hub to get the two pieces together.

She and I did 35 in 2018. No way I could do that with another car.

If I have to remove the axle from the hub, I'll just replace the axle.

Thanks much for all the replies,

I've spoken to some folks I trust and I'm told this is any easy fix. My only concern is retightening the metal straps on the boot. Any words of wit would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

I mean, sounds like an outer CV. If you don't have some crazy exhaust that runs near it, you can probably get away with zip ties for a long time.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...9b39d8179d.jpg
This is another thing I've never done before...

I got the axle out and separated the pieces from the boot. I'm surprised at how thin this C-ring is. Does it look like it's all there? I assume this was supposed to be on the other side of the CV joint.

Does anything else look awry in the pic on the hub end? I need to clean the CV joint up more before it's camera worthy.

Thanks,

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...c4234f1f5a.jpg
Gents,

I've been futzing with this all morning. This is the wheel side of the axle. I do not see anything that looks like a c-clip, circlip, snap-ring, zip tie, rubber band, etc., that would allow me to take this apart. The Shop Manual shows "DO NOT DISASSEMBLE". Is my only recourse squeezing the ring in the pic in Post #11 and sliding the shaft back in? I'm finding that to be impossible.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Even with four hands, we cannot get the axle past the groove for the snap ring. It simply doesn't slip into the grooves. Without the ring in place, the shaft still has to be hammered into the "Shaft and bell joint component".

Alrighty then... it's in. Jeez.

For the axle, you would have rotated the inner part to an extreme angle and popped one of the ball bearings out, then continue rotating around till all the balls are out of the cage, and the cage and inner race will come out of the housing.