I have been checking the FAQs and the FSM for tips and tricks on this. Truck is a 1990 pickup with 22re. I'm trying to replace the left front cv shaft, rotor, seals, pads, and some hub parts. CV shaft came out ok in 4 broken parts. New(used) shaft is not co-operating. Diff side of shaft is stuck against studs on the axle flange. I have tried jacking the lower a-arm, prying, etc. I do not want to try hammering the studs out (FSM does not mention this), and would like to avoid pulling off the steering knuckle. What am I missing?

 

Pictures? Something didn't sound right with that axle. Do they look identical?

 

new (used) axle looks the same. Measures ok, but old one is hard to measure because it is pieces. I'm going to go play with it a bit right now. I can post pix of the old one later.

 

All the way up, so that the weight of the truck is just coming off the jack stands? (I think you'd get a better result jacking on the rotor rather than the A-arm; you need the suspension compressed as though it were sitting on the wheels.)

 

If you're planning on keeping the truck, pound out the studs and grind/ file off the splines or replace them with bolts. It makes it WAY easier to replace the next time around and you'll be able to get them out this time too. That's what i did on my 92' and i can't see any disadvantage to doing it.

 

I had the hub and rotor off, so could not jack underneath the rotor. I ended up accidentally popping off the end cap on the diff end of the shaft. Grease everywhere, but it gave enough clearance to install the shaft. Shaft seems to turn nicely with no noise. Next time I will leave the hub and rotor on. Thanks for the tips.

 

Is there a clip that is suppose to go on the end of the axel spline inside the hub?

Sometimes you can turn the wheel one direction or other a little and it helps sometimes.

 

clip was off because I took the hub and rotor off. New one is back on. Have not road tested yet because I am working on other things like a broken e-brake and a broken a-arm. Fun times ahead.