Audi 2001 a4 cv joint trouble
 

I am replacing the front cv joints on my audi and i ran into an issue. I already removed the upper ball joints and loosened the interior cv bolts(the triple square's) and the axle is out if the transmission side. The problem is the axle wont come out of the wheel end, its seized up or something, any suggestions? (the wheel bearing bolt IS already out)

Thanks!
Gabe

First try threading the bolt back in a few turns and hitting it with a hammer. The correct way is to have the tool to press the shaft out but usually the hammer method works. If not, I have had to use an air hammer to drive them out too. All depends on how rusted the splines are. They should be a tight slip fit.

The tool bolts on to the hub with the lug bolts and then there's a forcing screw you turn that pushed the shaft out. May want to check the local tool rental place to see if they have one.

Do not use a drift punch. The bolt hole goes all the way into the cv joint (it's not a blind hole).

Once apart, use some sort of wire brush to clean the splines in the hub for reassembly and apply some good (preferably copper) anti-seize to the splines and especially that upper ball joint pinch bolt in case it ever has to come apart again a few years from now.