SUBARU3 Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 Well, yesterday I thought I'd take a couple hours and change the "original" CV axles on my Impreza. 2 boots, one on each side, finally split after 20 years and 74K. Well I have changed many axles and I figured a couple hours tops. Started on the right side and all went well. The axle just slipped out of the hub, the ball joint fell out and all is good! (Thanks to a TX car and no rust I thought). Well on to the left. all went well, but the axle would NOT come out of the hub. Despite, heat, PB blaster, a hammer, a sledge hammer, 2 different types of pullers, a few bad words and a nights sleep. Nada...it WOULD NOT EVEN BUDGE. So I decided I would have to take the knuckle and axle and take it to the axle shop. Guess what....they could not even press it off with a massive press! WTH! Its trash! What a waste! Has anyone ever had this issue with an original axle and hub? So I had to source a used one fast. (I found one in about 2 hours and they pulled it for me) I'm just to old to do this grunt work anymore!! It was $45....well worth it to have it handed to me! So it's getting a new bearing and seals and I should be good. But my 2 hour job turned into 3 days! Now my question: When I took the old knuckle off, I marked the alignment spot on the adjustable top strut/knuckle, (strut to knuckle). Now that I have a different one....how best can I set this? Do I really need to get an alignment now? Thanks!! Todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86BRATMAN Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 It's a good idea to get an alignment after any sort of movement of the camber bolts. Not always necessary, but piece of mind. If I were in your shoes I would have one done in the near future, not sure what a front end alignment runs out there, but it's got to be cheaper than a set of tires and an alignment down the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 Pretty common for the axles to seize in the hub like that. And yes, when they get stuck even the biggest most powerful presses can't get them out. I always coat the axle splines with a crap load of antiseize in case I have to take them apart again in a few years. The new knuckle will be close enough that the same marks can be used on the cam bolt. Keep an eye on tire wear over the course of the next month or so and watch for any feathering of the tread. If you get feathering have it aligned, and make sure to specify that you need the camber set. Some shops will just set the toe and let it go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted February 25, 2014 Author Share Posted February 25, 2014 Now I have a nice paperweight!!! All I have to do is de-grease it!! I will CERTAINLY put anti-seeze on both of these!!! I just hate throwing away a perfect hub....just because of a torn rubber boot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmdew Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 I have done boots on the car. The inner boot is pretty easy as the inner joint is held on with a external snap ring. The outter one could be done but it takes a pretty solid hit against the inner joint to pop it off the axle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted February 25, 2014 Author Share Posted February 25, 2014 Well, I will save the inner joint and make yard art out of the rest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 I thought this thread was going to be about auto-dimming otherwise "night" awesome mirrors. Nightmares........I see now. yeah axles are a bitch when they do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 Well car is back together and all is well!! I had to get a replacement knuckle. Now....I would like to save the old knuckle. Is there ANY way to get the axle out? The machine shop could not get it out, but they said maybe a higher pressure press might, but it might snap with more pressure. I tried heat....nada. I just HATE to give up and throw it out!! Todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Put it on a bench so the hub is facing up. Wire brush any crud/rust out of the way where the axle stub sticks out. Then fill the little cup on the hub with PB and let it sit. Every now and then smack the end with a 3lb hammer. If the PB drains out spray some more in. ATF works pretty well also. After a few weeks of that, if the hammer strikes haven't freed it up, rent a hub puller from a parts store. Put some pressure on it with the puller then smack the end of the puller with the hammer. Just make sure you don't mushroom the end of the puller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 I will give it a try. I have it already soaking with PB blaster. Time will tell. Thanks! Todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 yep i've seen this before as well. smacking it with any force will mushroom the threads. got a freezer or cooler and dry ice you could fit it in? get it cold then heat up the hub with a torch. probably not worth the time... if soaking/waiting doesn't help, a machine shop with good heat/presses should easily be able to get it out in no time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 I'm over the axle....I took off the inner DOJ and saved that, so mushrooming is no biggie, the hub is no biggie....I just wanted to save the knuckle. (In case I need a knuckle again for the same reason)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auto2 Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 point is the amount of force requiered to get it apart will also damage it so it a no go. only way is to have it in a press and smack the axle to loosen it. leave the nut on so when you mess up the threads you can run the nut back off and clean them up. i used to work in a machine shop and one day had a axle that wouldnt come apart.i aborted and the owner came in and said to pump up the press. i said NO! and walked out. a few minutes later we heard a huge bang. i ran back there and the hub exploded out of the press and went through a cement block wall behind the press.the hub was bent, the axle ruined, a huge hole in the wall......but he got them apart lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted March 16, 2014 Author Share Posted March 16, 2014 Auto2...oh my! That's a lot of force!!! I hate to do it, but I guess it's headed to the recycle bin! More hassle than it's worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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