Chevy Silverado / GMC 4x4 Truck, Secret to removing Stuck Left Front (Driver's Side) Axle

Рет қаралды 32,687

Күн бұрын

I have a 2003 Chevy Silverado 3500 Dually 4x4 Pickup with 175k miles. I decided to rebuild the front end. I replaced all suspension and steering components. As is common with these, the front axle seals were leaking, so I decided to replace those while I had everything apart. The right side (Passenger Side) went smoothly, since you have to take the right hand extension off of the differential anyway, that makes it easy. When I got around to the left side, I could not get it to pop out, I tried everything...I researched the web extensively, and watched innumerable youtube videos. I worded on this for days! I was down the last resort, removing the differential from them vehicle, splitting it open and knocking the axle out from the inside. Up to this point, all of my attempts to remove the shaft were applying pressure outward on the shaft. I occurred to me that maybe if I pounded the shaft back in, rotate it, then try pounding it back out again ... that might give the circlip a chance to recenter itself. So, I used the "5 LB Slide Hammer" coupled with the "Axle Puller Attachment". I 'borrowed' both from O'Reilly Auto parts. I think Advance and Auto Zone also have tool loaner programs. I bolted everything in place, then I would slide the hammer inward, rotate the axle 90 degrees, then slide the hammer out several times...then repeat. After doing this 2-3 times, the axle popped right out. I hope this saves someone all the headache that I went through.

Пікірлер: 53

@ozzman1011 Жыл бұрын

DUDE! Yes. It worked beautifully. I wasted hours on one yesterday. Watch this video, and 5 mins later, that shaft comes flying out. Thanks for the video...

@daveduckworth1800 Жыл бұрын

it took me about 2 minutes to remove the axle shaft without a slidehammer on my 2002 1500. I smacked the flange in with a rubber hammer...turned it 90 degrees and pulled out with my hand. The second time it popped right out. Of course I googled it before I started. your post will help out the novices.

@ryoung6730 2 жыл бұрын

That is one of the great things about the internet, someone, somewhere is having the same problem as you and happens to figure out a safe and effective way to solve it, and takes the time to explain how and why the technique works. Thank you very much for taking the time, this worked, and,,,it saved me the couple of days that you had to lose to figure it out. thanks again.

@ccc17219 3 жыл бұрын

For some reason, KZbin withheld your helpful video to me until I dropped the whole case, on the bench, split open, bumbling with getting the pinion shaft out of the way, yet to remove said axle shaft. Went to find some video about differential disassembly and YT decides to put this gem at the very top of my feed. After I’ve torn it all down. After I successfully wrestled the oil cooler lines in without removing it, and now since the diff is out you know that automatically means it’s oil pan gasket time. Which now means those three days spent wrestling them in were wasted since the lines bolt to the pan. All good, I’ll save this for next time, great info thank you good sir

@dcast777 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. I couldn’t get mine out after watching the other videos on this job. Had it out about 10 min after watching your video.

@jeffwiggins3351 Жыл бұрын

sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share this tip with us:>)

@robertmakinen7189 Жыл бұрын

You are a genius James! Worked just like you said after prying and pounding didn't work. 1997 K2500 Suburban

@daveduckworth1800 Жыл бұрын

James, thanks for posting this video. I have the axle seals on my workbench and will be replacing them in a week or 2. You just saved me some time for sure. Glad I stumbled onto this!!!!

@boydlear4865 Жыл бұрын

That is a great idea. There are lots of applications this might be helpful. Thank you for sharing it.

@keiths2027 9 ай бұрын

Excellent tip James! I'm about to start this project on my '99 K2500 GMC Suburban. I've done one on my 1/2 ton Suburban but the 3/4 ton Suburban is different. Your truck front end looks the same, so hopefully I'll be able to do this job much easier knowing this. Thanks again for sharing.

@markschwarzbauer4555 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks James. I will give this a try next. I appreciate you showing the shaft out with the retaining clip so we can see what we are dealing with.

@stetzenbradshaw6992 10 ай бұрын

Dude, James, you are the man!!! Was struggling my brains out as well then seen your video rotated it four or five times and it came right out thank you so much!!!

@rjensen6368 6 ай бұрын

Thank you for this video. Your answer for a stuck axle stub worked for me . Much appreciated. I was at my wits end.

@SyntheticFlame 2 жыл бұрын

It only took 3, 90degree rotations before it popped out, you saved me so much effort.

@jessehenderson4922 Жыл бұрын

Tried this for 2 1/2 hours without the slide hammer. Instead used gentle to moderate force with a mini sledge on the bottom of the flange (only spot I could get the mini sledge). Was just about to drop the diff and decided to try a pry bar. Trick was to pry from the top and simultaneously hit the bottom. First time I only replaced the seal. Had to do it a second time because the bearing ended up needing replaced too (probably what caused the seal to fail). Second time around the shaft popped right out using this technique. Maybe 5 seconds. My retainer ring was in tact and remained in the diff as well. Guys, don't go ape shit trying to force the shaft if it doesn't come out. More likely than not, you'll break off tabs needed to set backlash if you do.

@steveness9969 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks,, Gave up on this job a few months ago. I will now give it another try.

@Mikey-wf9py 11 ай бұрын

Smart man hope you still have her

@parkerbonogofsky3601 Жыл бұрын

WOW! Great idea worked on the first try! Love KZbin

@mateo32755 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip. I've been dreading trying this on my 2500HD as I now need to replace my seal.

@foreverfree8479 5 ай бұрын

Thought you were full of it but tried anyway. AND IT FUCKING WORKED FIRST TRY. Thanks brotha

@paulmcdowell6886 10 ай бұрын

Thanks for this Video Brother I will try your approach tomorrow, been working on one for a couple of days no luck as of yet, but I will definitely try this tomorrow Thanks in advance

@micklarge201 6 ай бұрын

Thank you I’m having the same problem. I will try the slide hammer tomorrow 😊

@zacheiriksson 2 жыл бұрын

That's a beauty of a truck

@whales302 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip! Have to do this job in a couple of weeks so I'm sure this will help.

@Jeff-ue1bl 2 жыл бұрын

Great info it's all the little things safes big headache's

@timbraun3716 7 ай бұрын

I will give it a try. Thanks for the tip!

@mythics791 8 ай бұрын

I just finished rebuilding a front differential on one of these trucks.

@ken4life891 Жыл бұрын

Appreciate the tip!

@1abranch 11 ай бұрын

Thanks for the video. That is a great ideal you come up with.

@ericbauer5927 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Finally a explanation!!!

@DavidDaniel1980 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much I will try that as well. I'm literally having the same issue. We will see if it works for me

@SteveNicholson-tk2se 2 ай бұрын

Yessss thank u im in this same scenario r now thank ypu seriuosly budddy THANK -YOU!!!

@olhemi1 10 ай бұрын

Great job, Cool video Thanks

@mikec6831 Жыл бұрын

I did mine today, axle came out pretty well, like three rotations and tapping with rubber mallet. My problem was getting the old seal out, that took about 2 hours and every dirty word I’ve ever heard. How did you get the old seal out? I’m sure the passenger side seal is not too far behind. Great video!

@jessehenderson4922 Жыл бұрын

There's just enough space to get a long pry bar in behind it. It'll come right out. Just be careful not to scrape the housing.

@dcast777 Жыл бұрын

Get the seal puller from harbor freight. It’s less than ten bucks. Took me 2 min to get it out with that tool.

@yogibear9607 2 жыл бұрын

The circlip is softer than the stub axle (spline’s) and gets dug into the shaft… also, it help’s to have the open end of the clip at the bottom. ;)

@zerbinauto Жыл бұрын

Good tip

@lanegillard4144 3 жыл бұрын

You may be my savior

@adrianmelendrez7848 3 жыл бұрын

Hope it works Been trying all day

@ciskolse-forty699 2 жыл бұрын

Thank my Chevy blazer full size is leaking from that side this will help me just in case.

@MrSat90 3 ай бұрын

I still cant get my out.. i tried to do everything as in the video and i have a loose shaft after bang it from the front to back.. just curious on what on else im not doing

@jameselliott2236 3 ай бұрын

@@MrSat90 I would experiment with different angles try a quarter, 1/3 turn half a turn, etc. Slide in twice, slide out twice. Beyond that, I would just try various combinations of those.

@MrSat90 3 ай бұрын

If I pry on it will break that shaft

@jameselliott2236 3 ай бұрын

@@MrSat90 It won't break the shaft, but it might warp the flange. Also, if you put too much force on it either with the slide hammer or prying, it might break the circlip, in which case you might have to split open the differential to retrieve the pieces. If you don't have a slide hammer, I definitely recommend borrowing one from an auto parts store. That's almost necessary for one that is stubborn!