993Porsche

I'm assuming the axle is still on the car. If so, raise the car up by the strut until it almost lifts the car and the axle should drop right out.

Ken

XavierLaFlamme

Axle is out.

Mike J

I am working on my buddies Subie and he has frozen splines in his rear hubs -> and we need to replace the bearings, and pullers etc are not working. Great idea with the air chisel -> thanks, will give that a try!

Cheers,

mike

Edward

Sounds like you're there ...so great job!

But I am with Ilko: go with a whole axle replacement. I had to do one side once (actually my trusted wrench did as I didn't have the time), and he advised the same. That was many tens-thousands miles ago and all is still very well ...not to mention it saved me labor cost. Still, kudos to your perseverence!

Edward

Bill Verburg

If you buy used you have no idea what you are buying, if you buy new be careful, a buddy bought new RS/turbo axles for his, being **** he wanted to pull repack the grease w/ Neo, Lo and behold the new CVs were only lightly greased and needed work any way.

After liquifying the grease in mine I repacked w/ Neo

XavierLaFlamme

Looks like the axle splines are toasted. I ordered a new axle assembly from Pelican parts this morning. I should be back on the road by Friday.

Having no car has been a hassle. Just seeing the car on the lift in my garage makes me sad.

Thanks for all your input.
--Michael

XavierLaFlamme

Thanks for this tip. I will inspect the CVs before I install the axle. I would hate to have to go through the hassle again. Oh, and I am putting copper based anti-seize all over those splines for posterity!
--Michael

ilko

Kopr-Kote FTW!

Bill Verburg

taking the boots off to inspect is no trivial

Hey Mike how about detailing what you did?

XavierLaFlamme

Ok, I wanted to update you all as to the progress with this little project.

As with many projects I dive into, what I thought was going to be a Gilligan's Island "3 Hour Tour" turned into a one week project.

The axle half shaft was seized in the inboard CV joint. I used all kinds of persuasion including a 3 arm gear puller and still could not budge it. I took the axle assembly to a Porsche mechanic friend and he advised me to just buy a new axle. $500 and three days later I got my brand new assembly(arrived on Thursday) and I put it in after work today as I had a half day. It took me a couple of hours and I took my time.

It was pretty straight forward. The only real trick, and this is mentioned in the various DIYs, is getting the control arm parallel to the ground before trying to slide the axle shaft into the hub. Having a Bendpak lift made this much easier. Oh, and the small matter of somehow torquing the bolt down to 350 ft lb. I bought a few sections of pipe for this. One to lock the hub so it wouldn't spin and one for the massive lever. It is now Gut N Tight. No idea whether it was 350 ft lbs of Gut N Tight though. I tried to match the feel from when I broke it loose.

I took the advice of a RLers and ordered some Kopr Kote copper-based anti-seize lube and put it on the splines and axle nut as well as the 6 inboard bolts which secure the assembly to the engine. Everything buttoned up nicely and I took the car out for a drive to get some new nuts and bolts to secure the air ducts as they were not in the greatest shape.

All in all, this was a project that should have never taken this long but I live and learn. It has made me not hesitant at all about doing more ambitious stuff. Now I just need to do all the maintenance projects:
1. Oil/filter
2. Brake fluid
3. Trans and Diff Oil
4. SAI cleaning

Thanks to those who offered me tips and assistance.
--Michael