Rear Axle Removal Problem

[ricdawg]

Anybody have any tips or tricks you're willing to share to remove the rear inner cv joint from the differential on a 1999 Sportsman 500? I checked with the local dealer and all the help they would give me is that sometimes you got to work at it and they will come. I however can't get it to budge. I even welded a bracket to it so I could attach my 10lb slide hammer and it still won't budge. I'm afraid any more force and I'll damage the aluminum housing.

Thanks
Rick

[Wildhorse800]

They are tough once they have been in there for a while. I used a crow bar, pry bar and a pickle fork. Its just a lot of rust dust that keeps the clip from compressing.

Just keep at it. i remember thinking it was hopeless.

Yes, the seals are on the outside. They can be replaced easily once the axles are out. I believe I removed the lower arms to allow better access to install them. A seal installer will make things easier. Just take your time and watch you don't gouge the case up where the seal sits. I did and used a die grinder to smooth it out and then used red Locktite(permanent) on the outside of the seal to help keep it in place and help seal it up. Use grease to lube the rubber sealing lip(I use STP engine oil treatment on all my seals--old trick from rebuilding automatic transmissions!)

Let us know how you make out!

[ricdawg]

Thanks again for the tips. I plan to tackle it this coming weekend and will post the outcome.

[HCRacing]

Spray it with somthing like W-D or a rust solevent . I had the same problem on my 700 and kept spraying it . Spray in the small crack on top and then i used a pickle fork and it poped right out. The rust gets under the clip and like the other guy said , it don't let it compress. Once the rust soaks it will let it compress.. but remmember before you put it back in to take the ring off and clean the grove good or it won't go back in.

[Wildhorse800]

..And go to NAPA and get a bottle of anti-sieze and lube the splines up real goodfor re-installation. Watch this stuff...it will not come off clothes and somehow seems to get everywhere, but it will make any future removal alot easier. You could use grease also, but the anti-sieze will stay put...guaranteed.

[HCRacing]

Forgot to tell him to lube it up for reinstall..

[Wildhorse800]

We all know what happens when you try and shove something in a hole without first having it properly lubricated

[HCRacing]

Isn't that the truth..

[ricdawg]

Thanks for the tips guys. I've been spraying it with PB Blaster for the past couple of days now. Hopefully this weekend it will just pop apart.

[HCRacing]

Originally posted by ricdawg
Thanks for the tips guys. I've been spraying it with PB Blaster for the past couple of days now. Hopefully this weekend it will just pop apart.

Get a pickle fork and beat it inbetween the bearing and the axle. It will pop out . Just keep spraying it so it sokes good.