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Car Forum / Toyota / Camry / April 2005

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2 problems with axle - half CV shaft on Camry

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azw - 09 Dec 2004 06:06 GMT
I've got a two problems with a 95 Camry, 4 cyl, automatic, American made.

#1
On the passenger side there is a snap ring that keeps a bearing on the
axle in a support about a foot from the transaxle. This snap ring is
supposed to be squeezed with pliers and be slipped out of its groove so
you can pull the axle out.

One side of the snap ring isn't budging. The other side is loose. I've
pried it out--with trouble--about 1/3 of the way around the axle. The
stuck side seems to be frozen in place or wedged in. I've tried tapping on
the axle lightly and pushing/pulling on it. No change.

I've tried removing the dustshield in case it was preventing the ring from
moving. Nope.

Do you have to do anything special to get the snap ring out? What would
you recommend I try next? I'm out of ideas.

Well, I'm hesitantly considering removing the rear underside engine mount,
which is what the bearing support is part of. Frankly, I'm not sure whether
that would create worse problems or that I could get it back in place
without an engine hoist. The bolts are in awkward places.

#2
I'm having trouble getting the remanufactured driver's side half axle back
in. I've pushed, wiggled, turned the axle as I push, and tried to reinsert
it, but can't get it to snap back in.

I've heard that the ring might be too big, but I'm not sure that's the
issue, especially since the original axle also won't go back in.

What method can I use to coax the axle back in so the little ring clicks
into place?

Can you use a mallet on the axle end? Or can I use a bar and hammer to
pound on the ridges in the innermost CV joint casing to try to drive it
in?

I'll be very happy for any advice. Thanks in advance.
Jason James - 09 Dec 2004 16:36 GMT
> I've got a two problems with a 95 Camry, 4 cyl, automatic, American made.
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> stuck side seems to be frozen in place or wedged in. I've tried tapping on
> the axle lightly and pushing/pulling on it. No change.

> I've tried removing the dustshield in case it was preventing the ring from
> moving. Nope.
>
> Do you have to do anything special to get the snap ring out? What would
> you recommend I try next? I'm out of ideas.

That snapring has ears on it which you are supposed to be able to compress,
hence making the circle smaller such thta it will come out of its groove,
hence allowing the 'intermediate' shaft to slide out with that bearing in
place on the shaft.

If its jammed, try gently tapping the outer track of the bearing *away* from
the clip (toward the diff). This should *unload* any side-thrust that is
stopping the clip from coming out.

Fun isnt it?

> Well, I'm hesitantly considering removing the rear underside engine mount,
> which is what the bearing support is part of. Frankly, I'm not sure whether
> that would create worse problems or that I could get it back in place
> without an engine hoist. The bolts are in awkward places.

I suspect that may work, but you'll and up with the bearing support stuff
hanging of the axle.
That bearing will come out once you tap the bearing away from the
snapring,..thus freeing it.

Dont forget to remove the lock-bolt that holds the bearing in the support
housing.

> #2
> I'm having trouble getting the remanufactured driver's side half axle back
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> pound on the ridges in the innermost CV joint casing to try to drive it
> in?

Yes you can use a mallet to tap it in. Make sure the snapring opening is
sitting at the bottom. Coat it and the axle-end with transaxle oil.

Jason

> I'll be very happy for any advice. Thanks in advance.
davidj92 - 09 Dec 2004 22:08 GMT
> I've got a two problems with a 95 Camry, 4 cyl, automatic, American
> made.
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> Do you have to do anything special to get the snap ring out? What
> would you recommend I try next? I'm out of ideas.

snip

Use an extension or some piece of metal with a flat end, preferably a punch
as it's hardened. Put the flat end against the snapring where it's stuck and
hit the other end with a hammer. This should, not always though, drive
whatever the snapring's holding, down enough to relieve any pressure, plus
move the snapring in it's groove and loosen it.
HTH, davidj92
azw - 10 Dec 2004 06:40 GMT
Thanks for the help!

I've finally removed the snap ring. I pounded on the housing, after
flooding it with penetrating oil, which seemed help. The stuck end came
free. Then I was able to pry the ring out by working screwdrivers all the
way around the ring. Yep, hours of fun, as Jason said.

Now....I'm struggling to remove the bearing from the same housing. It
figures if one was corroded in there the other would be, too, I guess.

I'm trying to wedge a large cold chisel between the support and the weight
on the axle to begin pulling the bearing out of its support housing. It's
moved a very small amount after a lot of penetrating oil and pounding. I'm
not sure what I'd do after the race appears and the wedge would keep it
from coming out any more.

Any tips on how to coax the bearing out?

Can you pound on the diff side of the bearing? I can't see the race. It
appears to be very thin, and covered by the rim that keeps it from sliding
through the back side of the support housing, so that doesn't look like a
good idea.

Would heat help? If so, what would I do after I got the support housing
hot?

Is there any advantage in removing the engine mount/bearing support?
(Looks pretty difficult.)

Thanks, David & Jason!
Jason James - 10 Dec 2004 07:34 GMT
> Thanks for the help!
>
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> through the back side of the support housing, so that doesn't look like a
> good idea.

Its not a good idea to whack on the inner track as the balls may brinnel
(indent) the tracks they run in (inner & outer),..but then again its only an
axle support bearing, not supporting any weight much,..It sounds as tho it
has rusted in. In this event penetrating oil may help, but you have used a
lot of that all-ready. Leave it over night to really soak in.

If the bearing still fails to budge, then some quick heat on the housing may
expand enuff to allow you to tap it out. While the housing is hot, a wet rag
may cool (contract) the bearing enough to make a difference.

If all this fails,..you may need to undo the housing, pull the axle out and
take the lot to a w/shop so it can be repaired.

Sorry not to be of more help. I;ve seen a Toyota rear t/shaft uni-joint cups
rust-weld in the ears/eyelets of the shaft where heat and a press had to be
used.

Jason

> Would heat help? If so, what would I do after I got the support housing
> hot?
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Thanks, David & Jason!
Ed Gordon - 28 Apr 2005 09:51 GMT
Is there any advantage in removing the engine mount/bearing support?
(Looks pretty difficult.)

I had gotten all of the bolts out of the bearing support but the one 17mm
bolt on top of the engine mount I could not get to it very good I did
manage to get a socket on it and rang a extension off trying to loosen that
bolt. So I bolted it back up as I got to thinking how was I going to get
the bearing and the support separated after I got it off. After all this I
gave a good spraying with PB Blaster and gave it one last hit with a hammer
and it MOVED so I kept hitting it and waa la it was out.

Man what a job that was!!
azw - 10 Dec 2004 07:41 GMT
Thanks for the help!

I've finally removed the snap ring. I pounded on the housing, after
flooding it with penetrating oil, which seemed help. The stuck end came
free. Then I was able to pry the ring out by working screwdrivers all the
way around the ring. Yep, hours of fun, as Jason said.

Now....I'm struggling to remove the bearing from the same housing. It
figures if one was corroded in there the other would be, too, I guess.

I'm trying to wedge a large cold chisel between the support and the weight
on the axle to begin pulling the bearing out of its support housing. It's
moved a very small amount after a lot of penetrating oil and pounding. I'm
not sure what I'd do after the race appears and the wedge would keep it
from coming out any more.

Any tips on how to coax the bearing out?

Can you pound on the diff side of the bearing? I can't see the race. It
appears to be very thin, and covered by the rim that keeps it from sliding
through the back side of the support housing, so that doesn't look like a
good idea.

Would heat help? If so, what would I do after I got the support housing
hot?

Is there any advantage in removing the engine mount/bearing support?
(Looks pretty difficult.)

Thanks, David & Jason!
Geoff - 10 Dec 2004 09:20 GMT
You should not need to pound on the bearing, although they do corrode in the
housing sometimes.. I got mine out by tapping with a copper driver on that
part of the shaft just outboard of the snap ring. I can send you a picture
if you like.

Geoff

> Thanks for the help!
>
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> Thanks, David & Jason!
azw - 10 Dec 2004 15:17 GMT
If it's not a lot of work, an image would be very helpful! Thanks, Geoff.
How long did it take you? Did you have to really hammer at it?
azw - 11 Dec 2004 05:56 GMT
There's no longer a need, Geoff. I got the axle out, but the race is still
in the support. I guess I'll try to get a shop to press it out for me.

I talked with a certified Toyota mechanic, who said this is often a very
difficult job. They usually have two people working together to get the
bearing loose. Of course, they use a lift, so they have a lot more room to
manuever. One person pulls with a pry bar while the other jiggles the
support with an air hammer. The air hammer is used with a round point
simply to vibrate the bearing support. He also highly recommended PB
Blaster penetrating oil spray.

Unfortunately, I had to go with pounding wedges in because my air hammer
stopped working. I'm not sure the air hammer would have worked anyway
because the race hasn't budged at all even with all the things I've done
to it.
jpb - 31 Jan 2005 14:59 GMT
#2
I'm trying to remove the drivers side half shaft, not having any luck. I
noticed AZW didn't have any trouble I was wondering if you would share
your technique.

jpb
Ed White - 31 Jan 2005 22:38 GMT
> #2
> I'm trying to remove the drivers side half shaft, not having any luck. I
> noticed AZW didn't have any trouble I was wondering if you would share
> your technique.
>
> jpb

There is just a little snap ring on the end of the shaft, first push it in
hard, then quickly pull out as hard as you can.....should pop out. If it
hasn't after a few tries, then try pulling on it with steady pressure and
tapping it, or prying it out. Usually the drivers side is the easy side.
Ed
edeye1 - 24 Apr 2005 17:33 GMT
I have got the same troubles. I did the drivers side pretty easy it took
prying on one side of the shaft while tapping with a hammer slide right
out.......Passenger side NOT so easy. Been working on it for about 6 hours
now no luck. I did get several good ideas from this thread.

Just wanted to say thanks!!

Edeye1
Ed Gordon - 28 Apr 2005 09:40 GMT
I finally got that darn stuborn half shaft OUT of my wifes Camry!! It is a
happy day for me. I think I will spend some time working on the CV shaft
bearing support to make the new one slide in and out with a litte less
effort next time they need changing. A new can of PB Blaster and a 2lb
hammer worked,only beat on it for 3 days <smile>. Today it will come off
the blocks!
 
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