couchaudi

Hello all,

I'm in the middle of changing out the CV joints on my center driveshaft; but the sucker won't come off of the rear differential. The front one came off real easy, so I don't know why the back has to be such a PITA. Is there perhaps a circlip that I can't see? Any recommendations? (I've been pulling and hammering on this this thing constantly for ~ an hour.)

Thanks.

2001 A4 1.8TQM

couchaudi

I've tried:

PB Blaster
hammer
torch

Any suggestions? I know there's no bolts/circlips holding it on...

I'm beside myself....agh...

Would it be advisable to remove the rear flange w/the shaft, and then separate upon removal? Would that even work?

Any ideas appreciated.

Peter Badore

The housing of the rear CV joint sticks and rusts to the lip of the rear differential flange. You will see the problem after you separate the two components. I use a dull bit on an air impact tool and hit the cv joint
in a diagonal motion toward the front of the car. It will take a number of impacts and will leave witness marks but they are harmless. Be prepared to have the complete drive shaft fall out so you might want to leave a couple of attaching screws loosely installed in the joint.

couchaudi

Thanks for the tip. Gonna take a "whack" at it right now.