What is the secret...(dang driveaxle!)

Db Diablo · Oct 16th, 2002, 08:35 PM

Ok, what is the secret to getting the passenger side drive axle out of a 1992 SE-R? The driver's side axle came out with no problem. Two broken screw drivers and 3 unsuccessful pry bars later, the passenger side axle is still in. Which side of the dust cap at the bearing housing should I be prying on?

Please somebody, help...

motivational1 · Oct 16th, 2002, 09:27 PM

Try rotating the axle about half a turn. The c clip might be caught in the differential. Try and pry it out again. If it doesn't work rotate it more and try again. It could take several tries but, I've had some luck doing it this way.

Centurion · Oct 16th, 2002, 10:59 PM

The support bearing has to be unbolted first.

Db Diablo · Oct 17th, 2002, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Centurion
The support bearing has to be unbolted first.

Do you mean unbolt it from the block or unbolt the bearing itself? If I unbolt it from the block, then what would I use for leverage when prying?

Db Diablo · Oct 17th, 2002, 05:09 PM

Can I buy a new drive axle with the support bearing already attached? I've got the entire assembly (with the support bearing attached) out of the car. I still can't get that bearing off of the axle shaft. I've tried everything including a ball joint separator. I know that the bearing is actually pressed into the housing, but what about the axle shaft? Is it pressed into the bearing?

SergioCR · Oct 17th, 2002, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Db Diablo
Can I buy a new drive axle with the support bearing already attached? I've got the entire assembly (with the support bearing attached) out of the car. I still can't get that bearing off of the axle shaft. I've tried everything including a ball joint separator. I know that the bearing is actually pressed into the housing, but what about the axle shaft? Is it pressed into the bearing?

Ok, what side are you trying to remove? the one that goes to the engine (tranny) or the one that goes to the front bearings with the big 32 nut ?

Db Diablo · Oct 18th, 2002, 06:43 AM

Thanks guys, I figured out what I was doing wrong. The first thing I need to do is throw away my HAYNES repair manual and buy a FSM.

Db Diablo · Oct 19th, 2002, 09:01 PM

Just for future reference. So that no one else will have to go through what I've gone through.

The facts that the Haynes manul left out:

1) Remove the three bolts from the support bearing housing BEFORE prying the drive axle out of the transmission.

2) The support bearing has to be PRESSED from BOTH the bearing housing AND the axle shaft. (I spent 3 hours trying to pry this thing off with a pry bar. By the way, the bearing/housing does not come with the new drive axle...dealer part.)

Hopefully, I will save someone else a future headache.

Centurion · Oct 19th, 2002, 11:24 PM

How did you get the bearing off?

SergioCR · Oct 20th, 2002, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Db Diablo
Just for future reference. So that no one else will have to go through what I've gone through.

The facts that the Haynes manul left out:

1) Remove the three bolts from the support bearing housing BEFORE prying the drive axle out of the transmission.

Just looked at mine... look what i found: Page 8-6
Driveaxles - Removal and Installation Step 10
Carefully pry the inner CV joint out of the transaxle and remove the driveaxle assembly. On some 1991 and later models, the inner CV joint housing on the right (passenger side) driveaxle terminates at a support bearing instead of the transaxle...

Db Diablo · Oct 20th, 2002, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Centurion
How did you get the bearing off?

I'm taking it to a machine shop on Monday and have them press the bearing off of the old driveaxle and back onto the new driveaxle.

Db Diablo · Oct 20th, 2002, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SergioCR
Just looked at mine... look what i found: Page 8-6
Driveaxles - Removal and Installation Step 10
Carefully pry the inner CV joint out of the transaxle and remove the driveaxle assembly. On some 1991 and later models, the inner CV joint housing on the right (passenger side) driveaxle terminates at a support bearing instead of the transaxle...

Point is, you can't "pry" the CV joint housing out of the support bearing. You have to remove the driveaxle assembly with the support bearing attached.

SergioCR · Oct 20th, 2002, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Db Diablo
Point is, you can't "pry" the CV joint housing out of the support bearing. You have to remove the driveaxle assembly with the support bearing attached.

Yep, since it's pressed into the bearing.... good point... maybe they didn't took the chance to put it since not all the sentras has this setup... would be interesting to know what the "Chilton's Sentra Repair Manual" says about that point...

toolapcfan · Oct 21st, 2002, 08:47 AM

Quote:

The first thing I need to do is throw away my HAYNES repair manual and buy a FSM.

I felt that way too until I got my FSM and realized that it's not perfect either. It's great, well worth the money, but it still lacks some things that you'll find in a Chilton's or a Haynes. It's helpful to have both. Maybe consider getting a Chilton's Total Car Care manual if they make one for our cars. I had one of those for my wife's old car and it was pretty decent.