gristyle

I have a 2004 Lexus Rx 330
I attempted to replace the driver side cv axel a couple of times. When it came time to pry the shaft out of the transmission case I feared damaging the case or worse.
My last attempt was to use a OEM Axel popper tool kit (Fork and shim) However I was still reluctant for fear of damage to the Transmission case.
Kindly Is the OEM axel popper the correct tool or some other tool the safe and correct choice?
Please kindly advise.
Thank you!

Audiqv8

There is a carrier bearing that needs to be remove. The axle at the transmission is not held by anything and should just slide out of the transmission. You need to remove the carrier bearing first. If you can't get the bearing off the best thing to do is to take it to a professional. Hope this help.

gristyle

Thank you great video! I already did the passenger side successfully, Sorry I meant the DRIVERS SIDE I was having the issue with.

Audiqv8

The driver side axle is held onto the transmission by a circlip. Use a large pry bar and it should pop off.

ukrkoz

Do you have dust shield covering axle input shaft on the transmission side? If you do, you can't use pry bar, you'll damage the shield. Your axle, at the CV joint "hub" should have slots cut into the metal. Those are there on purpose. Toyota sells a special tool that grabs to them and pulls axle shaft out. technician, who twice replaced axle on my Highlander, simply used long metal bar with sharp end, that he placed against that slot edge and gave handle good stroke with large hammer. That popped axle shaft out instantly.
As of the video above.
Where he says to support hub to prevent ABS wire from being damaged. Simply undo 10mm bolt holding it in place to the strut, unplug ABS sensor from the hub and set wire somewhere aside, no need to worry about it.
Have you noticed how he takes axle out and there is no ATF dripping out? He's low on ATF, it should come out the axle shaft hole.
Just saying.

gristyle

Thanks Audiqv8
That worked (pry bar ) and came out fine,I guess no guts no glory.
I tend to be better safe than sorry, which leads me to my next problem....
Reassembling the shaft nut seemed to be rather tight on the GSP shaft and when inspecting
the nut looked as though it may of had a bur? never the less I got it started and put air gun to it,
well it was moving so slow going on I decided to reverse it off and it looked like it was getting a bit
Tore up. I stopped and went to Advanced ordered another nut.
I remember the other side being tight and laboring the gun but not like this?
Does that sound normal to be that tight?

Audiqv8

The nut is 'staked' in and should be replaced every time it is removed.

gristyle

Thanks,
Accomplished both right and left axels with sway bar control pins.
2004 RX-330 179000 miles handles excellent!