I am working on a mazda 626 that has a bad cv joint. I want to just replace the whole shaft but I can not get the shaft out. The others side popped right out like it should but the drivers side is stuck. I have removed the cross member that the engine bolts to so I could get a better angle to pry and still no luck. Any suggestions would be apreciated.

 

Is it stuck on the trans side or the hub side?

 

It is stuck on the tranny side. I have done many of these and never had one stuck on the tranny side like this. Any idea if there is a special tool made to help with this?

 

I have had some CV axles stuck before also. What I did was use 2 prybars. Sometimes the circlip on the end of the axle is stubbrn and needs persuasion. Use a prybar on each side of the joint so you use even pressure. Place the prybars at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. If you use 1 prybar it will get in a bind inside the trans and not come out as easily.

 

One other thing that often works for a stubborn axle on trans side. I ground the end off one of my straight prybars so that the end is very thick but still tapered. Thicker than the gap between the inner joint and trans case. Get bar up in there and hit end a good blow with a hammer and the tapered end acts like a wedge that will force the joint out. Same principle as using a wedge to split a piece of firewood. Usually works great.