Cannot get the front left driver axle back IN to the transmission all the way. Topic is solved

[GreenMagicMan]

I am assuming that is what the issue has been with these 3 axles. There's easily a 1/4" wide open gap where it was tight fitting with the original axle. I've measured them all, it's off just the slightest amount, less than what all 3 make a gap of.

[scot850]

Sorry, but I'm not clear. Is there a difference between the OE axle length from the cup to the locating ring than on the aftermarket ones?

Neil.

[crazycat]

Also wondering if the freezing temperatures have possibly hardened some grease that’s in the axle socket in the transmission. If the measurements of the parts, old to new, are identical, it should go in.

[GreenMagicMan]

Got the sucker out tonight!
Watched another video.... and free loaner tooled me a 'universal' Front axle puller and slide hammer from Oreilly (EverTough Front Wheel Drive Axle Puller Adapter - 67102).
Was a pain to get it in due to clearances and using this tool was new to me, but once setup, simply the first / one sharp pull back on the slide hammer and it popped out with effortless ease - like it was never jammed in there.
VT weather has been a b*tch too. 16F weather out there and still came right out

Will be trying out axle #4 tomorrow which I got from a 70K AWD donor car. Will update.

In the meantime, we bought a 2010 XC70 3.2 5 cyl that we really like so far. 2000+ trouble free miles.

[GreenMagicMan]

Here's a little picture to illustrate the troubles I've had on this repair:

tempImagekLSq6U.gif (675.99 KiB) Viewed 1364 times

[GreenMagicMan]

Finally axle #5 (who's counting. Oh wait I am), went in. About 2 weeks ago just before I had 9 day work blitz.
Almost got the whole car re-assembled. Except I sheared a bolt off on the new strut / spring I put in (Mazda 3 unit), and the second bolt fell underneath the flippin engine fusebox and vanished.
Had no drill on hand - great, yes I know. Was in Vermont country. Couldn't drill out snapped replacement bolt. Very light pressure sheared the piece of garbage right off.
Back to VT with drill, bits, extractors, and spare bolts and magnet on a fishing wire to try to get that damn bolt back out of hidden engine area. Hoping to get it reassembled today. The battery will only charge up to 11 VDC max. Not good. Sat around in cold weather too long with this never-ending job.

Very happy we bought a 2010 XC70 at auction about 6 weeks ago. Much better car.