stuck drive shaft

[stevealex]

Been trying to get the rear drive shafts off my 16" syncro to change the boots. I've undone all the bolts (some where 150 ft lb instead of 33!), but I cannot get the outer cv to come of the wheel hub. The inners just fall off as I would expect, the outers feel like they are still bolted on but all the bolts are out. I've even tried using the drive shaft as a bit of a slide hammer to jerk the cv free from the hub but it does nothing.

Does anyone have any idea what could still be holding them on or a cunning plan to get them loose?

Thanks Steve

[Aidan]

rust is holding them on, there's a lip on the 108mm half shaft so you have a very large contact area, if you can't apply sufficient side force to break the rust then you'll have to pull the half shaft out as well, so undo the 46mm nut and pull the whole lot inwards, just don't move the van with the half shaft out as it holds the rear wheel bearings together
btw I have never tried pulling the 16" half shaft out inwards so I can't guarantee that it will pass through the rear trailing arm, 14" ones will with a very little persuasion at the right angle

[stevealex]

Cheers Aiden

I feared that it might have to be that, need to find some scafolding tube to undo the wheel nut. Do you think reattaching the inners and rocking back and forth is worth a go to break the seal?

Steve

[lloydy]

I've got a 16" and they come out the trailing arm fine. Luckily mine just fell off, but jes had a similar problem to you, i think he ended up having to start the engine and lift the clutch in 1st with the handbrake on. This free'd it off, i don't know the potential damage if any this could cause though?

[Aidan]

I hadn't thought of that, shouldn't do much damage if you do it with no revs and gently slip the clutch and dip it again quick

[stevealex]

I shall try that in the morning, hopefully I wont be wearing ball bearings I'll report back tomorrow.

Steve

[stevealex]

Thanks for the help, both drive shafts are now off

Using the engine to free them worked a treat one came off with the handbrake on, one with it off - so either idea works; you just need to be a bit heavy handed with the clutch and keep the revs down.

It is interesting how different cars have such different foibles, I've done lots of drive shafts over the years and never come across one even vauguely stuck on.

Thanks Steve