1996 965 inboard cv replacement

wharfrat · Post by **wharfrat** » 29 Jan 2013, 15:39

Hi Folks,

I need advice. The left inboard CV joint went bad on my 1996 965 multilink IRS. I was able to get it home clunking happily all the way. The Chilton manual is useless as it does not address this axle. I'm a retired professional technician and auto shop teacher, have the tools and the skill. I need help with the knowledge on this one. It appears that I can disassemble the rear brakes, undo the track rod and upper control arm, support the lower control arm but leave it attached then swing the bearing housing out of the way while pushing the half-shaft stub out. Can I do this or do I need to disconnect the lower control arm? I'm frankly leery of the transverse spring. Once I can access the axle is it a straight pull or will I get a lot of resistance from the internal lock spring? Special tool to remove or a decent catspaw? Oh, the FUBAR is that I live way out in the woods about 30 miles from town [and that's a generous term] and this work will be done outside, on my back, in the snow.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Best regards

pat hayes

Post by **jimmy57** » 29 Jan 2013, 20:54

Undo center axle bolt at wheel end. Separate the outer knuckle at least from some of the attaching points to suspension links so the knuckel will go far enough to let the axle clear it. The inboard cv jointis inserted an locked only with a snap ring into diff. It will pop out with prying.
If you have trouble finding joint or axle let me know. I have some.

The long bolts on the rear control arms in most cases are splined and should be torqued with the suspension at normal ride height.

wharfrat · Post by **wharfrat** » 01 Feb 2013, 18:03

Jimmy,

The support arm won't separate from the hub assembly...the bolt came out free and clean. Is there a sleeve connecting the two? I did manage to rotate the hub towards the back of the car which gave me enough room to slide the axle stub out of the hub. The axle wouldn't pull out of the diff with a couple of moderate pulls, but I left off when it started snowing. Am I gonna need a slide hammer for this?