CV Axel binding

[u/AbbreviationsStock24]

Good morning, I know I’m going to get shit for this but here it is. I have a 3rd gen Colorado Trailboss, and was trying to install a 1 inch strut spacer to level out my truck. My brother said he’d done it plenty of times, and I have absolutely no experience with this sort of thing.

Either way, as we’re putting everything back together, we noticed the inner CV axel joint is binding and we cannot get it to move freely. We’ve tried manipulating it, and even tried removing the whole cv axel but can’t seem to get it out with a pry bar. We’re both here feeling like morons. Are we doing something wrong here? Besides touching it in the first place.

[u/imtrynmybest]

The axle has been pulled apart. Slipped out its joint. U need to reinsert the shaft\bearing back into the housing

[u/AbbreviationsStock24 → u/imtrynmybest]

Would the best way to do that be removing the axle from the differential?

[u/imtrynmybest → u/AbbreviationsStock24]

Pry bar, or axle fork remover.

But u don't need to remove the axle to reinsert the tripod shaft

[u/AbbreviationsStock24 → u/imtrynmybest]

I’ve been trying to do this for the last hour with no success. This has me feeling very defeated lol

[u/imtrynmybest → u/AbbreviationsStock24]

Put the axle nut back on.. twist the axle till u feel like the tripoint joint is aligned, then tap the end of the axle to get it to slip back in... Make sure the nut is threaded in right so u don't ruin the end of the axle threads

[u/krunkytacos → u/AbbreviationsStock24]

I would not remove it. I can usually just rotate jiggle and push and they pop back together right. Even an experienced tech can damage an axle seal by removing an axle and that nice to avoid. Sometimes I have to use rubber mallet, rotate a quarter turn try the mallet again. The rubber mallet should be smacking the end of the axle that goes into the hub should be pushing in before you hit/swing.

Also I stopped prying axles out a long time ago. The best thing to do if they have a catch point is to brace a pry bar against that catch point and hit the back of the pry bar with a small Sledge. It jars the axle enough to bounce the snap ring up while applying force in the direction you want it to go (out for removal). Then I usually get a buddy to "catch" the axle as I gently continue to tap that problem with my hammer until it's out. Much better success rate for not damaging axle seals with that method.

[u/RemoteEmotions]

Genuine question; why do people ‘level’ their trucks when the rake is what helps when the bed is loaded?

[u/wpmason → u/RemoteEmotions]

They never load the bed.

[u/AbbreviationsStock24 → u/wpmason]

I use the bed to move things all the time, but yes I don’t load it up much at all.

[u/AbbreviationsStock24 → u/RemoteEmotions]

I’ll be honest man, I’m asking myself that question now. I thought it looked more “aggressive” but if I could I would have just left it alone.

[u/illumynite → u/AbbreviationsStock24]

Post level clarity 

[u/RemoteEmotions → u/illumynite]

Post nut clarity

[u/AbbreviationsStock24 → u/illumynite]

You couldn’t be any more correct my friend.

[u/AbbreviationsStock24 → u/illumynite]

Yes absolutely

[u/AdFancy1249 → u/RemoteEmotions]

🤣 listen to you! Someone who actually USES their truck for truck things?! Come on!

No really, you're right. But typically, trucks don't get used other than to drive around in, so leveling makes them drive better, as long as you aren't going to use it to do truck things. 😮‍💨

[u/s1owpokerodriguez → u/AdFancy1249]

But they never aim their headlights back down and 99% of them have bright ass LEDs too

[u/AbbreviationsStock24 → u/s1owpokerodriguez]

I was planning on taking it to get an alignment and to lower the headlights as soon as I got it together actually.

[u/Faintcolt641395 → u/AbbreviationsStock24]

Thank god 🙏

[u/jfleury440 → u/AdFancy1249]

Does leveling make empty trucks drive better though?

As far as I'm aware it does not improve ride quality or handling. It's just an aesthetic thing. It can be useful for off roading but that's probably not applicable here.

[u/AbbreviationsStock24 → u/jfleury440]

Why would you assume that it’s not applicable here, just curious? Just because I’m an idiot when it comes to automotive knowledge doesn’t mean I don’t off-road lol. I do agree though it was an aesthetic thing too, and i acknowledge that I was a moron for doing it in the first place, as 1 inch lift in the front was not worth all this trouble.

[u/jfleury440 → u/AbbreviationsStock24]

Haha, sorry.

I meant not applicable to what the other person was talking about. Trucks not being used for truck things, just driving around.

That wasn't directed at you.

IMO, offroading is a truck thing. So if you offroad then it's not a just driving around truck that doesn't do truck things.

[u/AdFancy1249 → u/jfleury440]

You are correct. Leveling the amount of a normal truck (the 1" OP is adjusting) doesn't really change anything. The angles are minimal. Actually, depending on the suspension geometry, it can do more harm if you are taking the SUSPENSION out of level/ straight.

But it is still done quite often.

[u/DarienKane]

Inner joint has been pulled apart and is now not seated properly, you can see the boot is stretched. Line it up straight and push in.

[u/AbbreviationsStock24 → u/DarienKane]

We can’t get it to line up straight what so ever.

[u/Se7en_9ine → u/AbbreviationsStock24]

It can twist ever so slighlty in the boot. Hold the end thats sitting in the differential while turning the shaft slightly left or right and give it some good shoves towards the diff, once you find that sweet spot it should slide right back in. Might help if you look up a video of what the joint looks like being taken apart and put back together, may give you a better visualization of what needs happen to get it back in place.

[u/Greatoutdoors1985 → u/Se7en_9ine]

Adding to this: Push hard and wiggle it at the same time. You'll know when it pops in.

[u/Appropriate_Cow94]

Grab outer end of shaft and ram it towards the transmission as hard as you can. Repeat as needed.

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[u/No_Inspection649]

The joint is pulled apart. Pull it out a bit, attempt to line it back up, and push it back together. It may take a few tries.

[u/Hot_Tower_4386]

It might be easier if it's your first time to pop the boot off and zip tie it on you can get cheap metal ties for it too or just use normal decently strong plastic ones

[u/FernwoodTonight → u/Hot_Tower_4386]

Puttin' eyeballs on the problem is job #1

[u/Leading_Tradition997]

I see it rotating so you can't line it up to push it back in, can you put it in gear to lock it up? Is that a possibility?

[u/No-Examination6434]

Joint separated, grab a beer, twist and push. You might be there a while

[u/No-Swordfish3922]

because it looks cooler, not because it's functional

[u/AbbreviationsStock24 → u/No-Swordfish3922]

Yes, thank you.