CAR: Honda 200 Accord, V6, Auto transmission, sedan
Experience: 40 yrs auto & mechanical although not on Hondas.
After replacing boots, ball joints - Pressing axle into transmission - I'm curious & concerned about process of and amount of force required to properly reinsert axle (cv joint cup axle stub). Into transmission.
Issue/Question:
In process of replacing CV Boots (Inner & outer), upper & lower ball joints, also turning rotors (both sides).
Present state:
Driver side - ready to reinsert transmission side cv joint cup tranny axle stub into transmission. Have replaced aforementioned parts, inspected shaft & cv joint all is well. At present, have axle stub partially inserted into driver's side of transmission. Have encountered the need for considerable force to allow me to continue to press axle stub into transmission (currently axle has slide about half an inch to an inch but does not allow me to push further without what appears to be considerable force - ie firmly hit the axle on the rotor end with a hammer) Is this normal? Alignment of the cv joint cup splines in transmission.?
Issue/Questions: When removing axle I didn't mark or otherwise make location indicators/note when removed the transaxle & inner cv joint cup/axle stub from tranny. Now reinserting cup & mini shaft into tranny.
I'm assuming axle shaft rotational location is not position dependent (other than merely splines aligned to allow shaft to be completely seated in the tranny - not like properly aligning a distributor where there is a 'specific' spot/alignment? - Ie. I can insert axle shaft without any concern or need to match specific location/spline in a specific location in transmission receptacle. Am I correct?
Second question/concern: As previously stated, inspected & cleaned transmission side of transaxle's cup & mini shaft's spines- all is fine no damage or noticeable wear whatsoever. I didn't notice any sort of alignment keyway or positioning determinant. However, as/when I attempt to slide transaxle-cv joint cup-mini axle side into transmission process appears (to me - and I'm unfamiliar w-Honda front wheel cars & thus this process- specifically, the normal amount of force required to reinsert shaft; although, I've worked on SAAB front wheel drive cars for 30+ yrs they slide in easily and the shaft bolts into place unlike this Honda)
Should this process require hitting the transaxle/rotor end firmly with say a 5 lb hammer/small sledge a couple of times to force axle so the retaining ring is in a 'locked position'?
There is a what appears to be a 'ring retainer' on the inner portion of the tranny cv joint axle cup's axle shaft stub. I assume the axle slides in freely for the first inch or so - until it reaches the ring then as you attempt to continue to fully seat the axle into its proper location/depth the ring is forced to 'collapse' briefly until it clears/slips into a 'locking position' in the tranny at which time the shaft can/will rotate by hand as needed to allow an alignment of the splines to align and then continue to be pressed/slid/pushed completely into axles's fully inserted proper operating/driving location. Is my assumption correct?
I assume once the axle is slid to the point where the retainer ring is inside/beyond the 'locking point' and the splines aligned to allow continued insertion very little pressure is required (meaning the hammer blows/firm pressure is only required to get the retainer ring to collapse slightly thereby allowing shaft to slide in to its normal seated position). Furthermore, that the axle will then need to be turned until the splines will then align thereby allowing the axle to be pushed farther in until properly and fully seated. Correct?
Do I appear to understand this process? Am I correct? Or, does what appears to be a considerable force (the need to hit with hammer to drive axle in) an indicator there is a problem or that there is an alignment issue I need to understand and respond to immediately by properly aligning axle? I don't wish to damage axle or transmission. Am concerned something may be wrong.
I will need the torque specs for all of the related bolts/nuts etc. Where can I find a complete list of the torque specs for the front end, including sub frame? (I replaced a struts and bushings etc which I wish to torque properly before considering the job complete.)
Thank you.
Alex
Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 AT 2:42 PM
(Merged)