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THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCH996 C4S Front Axle Stuck
Leading reported evidence
Use heat, hammer, wd-40, and time
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Leading evidence: 'Use heat, hammer, wd-40, and time' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace any' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I put the axle nut back on flush, then used a mini sledgehammer to pop it off.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
On an E30 M3 rear axle where it was frozen on, I used a version of that tool, heat, and a big 1/2 impact wrench to continuously beat at the very large nut on the tool until the axle finally gave in.
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Suggestion
The axle nuts are one time only, so you need to replace any that are removed with new.
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Suggestion · Original poster
So, I decide to replace the boots on both front axles, reasoning that they're probably about the same age and the others are ready to break soon.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
On an E30 M3 rear axle where it was frozen on, I used a version of that tool, heat, and a big 1/2 impact wrench to continuously beat at the very large nut on the tool until the axle finally gave in.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
12 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 1 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
While working on a few things, I noticed that CV boots on one front axle are torn. So, I decide to replace the boots on both front axles, reasoning that they're probably about the same age and the others are ready to break soon. In any event, replacing the CV boots on the axle where they were unbroken was fairly straightforward and uneventful. The axle pulled out easily and went back in easily.
However, the axle with the broken CV boots (both inner and outer are split)
won't come out of the knuckle
. I removed the entire knuckle assembly from the car (photo below for reference). I've tried banging on the axle with a rubber mallet (and anything else I could think of unlikely to damage the end) and tried two different pullers (photo below shows one attached) in an attempt to push it out. I've soaked both the inboard and outboard sides overnight in PB Blaster and (at separate times) EvapoRust. It won't budge.
I'm now several days into what I thought was going to be a couple hour project. Hoping someone here will have an idea of what to do.
Thanks,
AEP
It corosion. Its either gonna take heat, chemicals, pressure or a combo of all or some. U may have to replace that wheel bearing too when done. Good luck.
Put the axle nut back on so it sits proud. Hit the nut with a hammer. Probably replace nut depending on how much you gave it.
You could also try an air hammer or an SDS hammer drill on 'hammer only' with a point bit on the centre of the axle.
If that doesn't work you'll need to go to a hub puller like an OTC 7394 or 6574 (I don't know the difference) You might be able to get away with a cheaper kind but I'm not sure if it will work with 5x130.
Lastly, bring assembly to a small shop and tell them 'I pay cash and I don't need a receipt'. This works best on a friday afternoon when the boss isn't around and the worker will just pocket the money.
You need a much bigger pusher tool made for this task. Even then, impact wrench was used to push it out. Or, take it to a Porsche shop and pay them 50 bucks to push it out for you.
On an E30 M3 rear axle where it was frozen on, I used a version of that tool, heat, and a big 1/2 impact wrench to continuously beat at the very large nut on the tool until the axle finally gave in. On an E46 M3 rear axle, I also used the same tool where the puny 3 arm gear puller gave up. That tool works, but it is not magic. You need additional efforts.
The spanner wrench on that axle puller is made to be hit with a sledgehammer. Even then it is not always enough.
I had to replace the left rear wheel carrier on one of my cars because I could not separate the axle from the hub. I used that 20 ton axle puller, I heated it with the acetylene torch until the grease in the wheel bearing caught fire, I used a 50 ton hydraulic press and I still could not get the axle shaft out of the hub.
I think that when previous repairs don't tighten the hub nut enough the splines fret themselves into an interlocking fit that is nearly impossible to get apart.
Great suggestion! I did the "lastly" suggestion firstly--and on Monday as well--and it worked like a charm. Took it to the local place where I get oil changes, etc. on most of my cars and they were able to pop it out in just a few minutes. Didn't even charge me.
On to the next speedbump!
Thanks,
AEP
Awesome. Glad to hear it worked out. Next time you get something done there bring them coffee and donuts or leave some beers in the passanger seat as a gift.
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