Driver side CV axle?

Tiny
GROVERLOCKE1
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT
  • 2.5L
  • 5 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
I've been having immense trouble popping off the driver side CV axle from the transmission. Most of it is off except for the cup that directly connects to the transmission. I've tried an air hammer, multiple prying tools, made my own tool using a vice grip and a slide hammer (it keeps sliding off), and nothing seems to work. What's my best course of action? Right now, I'm thinking the home-made tool is the best bet and am making grooves in the cup so it will hold better. Any and all advice is welcome, although I would like to avoid disassembling more because I instinctively know it's going to open up another can of worms.
Monday, February 17th, 2025 AT 1:35 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 49,970 POSTS
Yep, good call, I have had good luck with rotating the axle cup while using a large pry bar to apply pressure at various intervals during the rotation. They show a couple different designs so it would help if you had an image that I could see to confirm the type you have. Here is what they show. The one I think you have is the bottom unit. Please go over this guide to see if it helps in the meantime which is a step-by-step guide for changing a CV axle.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-cv-axle

Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response of any problems so we can see what to help you with.

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Tuesday, February 18th, 2025 AT 5:24 PM
Tiny
GROVERLOCKE1
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I got it out! This was yesterday, I got a Dremel tool and put a hole through the cup so the vice grip/slide hammer tool would go through it, making it impossible to come off, and then it popped on the third swing. I still appreciate the advice though; God forbid I have to work on a rusty CV axle again. Thank you.
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Tuesday, February 18th, 2025 AT 6:23 PM
Tiny
GROVERLOCKE1
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The old cup is sitting on my desk now as a trophy.
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Tuesday, February 18th, 2025 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 49,970 POSTS
Nice work! Yep, some of those C clips can be a bear. Thanks for letting us know, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
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Wednesday, February 19th, 2025 AT 9:57 AM

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