97 Protege Left Drive Shaft Replacement

[smokstac]

My recent project of replacing my steering knuckles/spindles ran into an issue. I was able to free the right side half shaft from the spindle so I could replace the rusty worn out spindle (as it turned out the bearings were shot as I expected). Got it all back together and started on the left side...no go. Could not for the life of me get the input shaft free from the hub. No amount of persuasion or PB blaster got it loose after several hours' of work.

So, since I'm replacing the assembly anyways I figured I'd just go grab another half shaft from the JY and be done with it.

Here's my question: according to shop manuals I'm going to have to drain the AT fluid. No problem. The manuals also recommend using some special tool to insert into the place where the half shaft enters the differential so as to keep gears from falling out. The manuals aren't clear whether this refers to a situation where one or both half shafts have been removed.

I have replaced half shafts on other FWD vehicles before without use of special tools put inside the spider gears until the half shaft is installed.

Do I need to worry about this since I am only doing one shaft?

Thanks!
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HAWAII MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY

[Ace]

heh. I ran into the same situation. For some reason those hub's like to seize up and hold the axles. It took me a torch and a large sledge hammer to get the axle out of the hub. also, you'll need to drain the tranny fluid. I've always used an old axle stub inserted on one side to hold the gears in place. you can also use a zip tie, long drift punch, basically anything that will go through the diff

[smokstac]

Thanks....any need to insert something if I'm only removing one shaft? Looks like the hub/shaft are totally seized so if I need to put something in there I will simply remove the axle joint on the seized shaft and put that in temporarily.

What is the best way to get the shaft out of the tranny? It looks like space is tight. I bought an angled pry bar from Harbor Freight (looks like a long flat screwdriver with a bend about 4" from the end)...will that be sufficient?
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Motor manufacturing texas

[rusty]

a long flat narrow prybar can work, just have to be careful to not put too much angled force on the input joint as the split ring on the end of the spline will bind more in teh diff and will be hard to get out.

[smokstac]

I'm thinking of replacing the right side shaft now that the right side ball joint/hub has been replaced. If I can replace the single shaft with an intermediate/smaller shaft then I'd like to do that since I'm going to have to drain the AT in the process. I read that by removing the right side I can get the driver's side out easier by using a screwdriver and tapping the end of the stub with a hammer.
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Arizona Medical Marijuana Dispensaries