Halfshaft Removal on a 1990 N/A???
 

How do you remove the halfshafts from a 1990 N/A?! -- I've got them disconnected from the diff, but I'm not sure how to disconnect them from the wheels.

Any suggestions / instructions?

Thanks!,
Manolis

Take the wheel off. See that large arse nut with the crimp in it. Thats the other end of the halfshaft. Nut SHALL be removed before the shaft is removed from car or DAMAGE TO THE HALFSHAFT MAY OCCUR. joke.
Once the four nuts on the differential are removed and the large nut aforementioned is removed, just pull the shaft outta the car. Have fun with that large nut. You might down load the factory manual at the FRONT AND REAR AXLE section. Its a 88 but your car is similar. God how I hate that nut.

Getting the nut off is no problem with either air tools, or a 1/2" ratchet with breaker bar. But, usually, getting the spline out of the hub is a real bitch, how about everyone else? One time I had to use my flywheel puller, a 3 jaw gear puller about 1.5' in diameter, and my 3/4" 600ft/lb torque impact wrench to drive teh thing outta the hub. A couple of times I mushroomed the edge of the shaft so bad it was useless and just had to trash it. Usually a good whack once dead on with a 3lb sledge breaks it loose, and if it doesnt then youre in for fun. Ive broke more than a couple of rotors by trying to use them for mounting my big gear puller on them!

Big ass Nut holding the Half Shaft
 

What size socket/wrench does it take?

I've broken a 1/2 inch Craftsman breakover bar on these and yes I removed the indented place on the nut before trying. You're right aboutt he powered impact wrench. I should buy the Milwalkee 1/2 inch impact that he suggested I buy and did not. I had no trouble getting the shaft to exit the hub though. I cut the darn nuts off with a dremel motor. New nuts at Pep Boys. Forgot the wrench size. Worse comes to worse I can look in the morrow.

Look on the 'morrow
 

Thanks Hailers. I'm looking to pull a T2 drivetrane tranny through half shafts at a wrecking yard tomorrow. Didn't realize the half Shafts were such a challenge.

Thanks in advance for advising Nut size.

Have a safe New Years.

BTW. watching the Holiday Bowl and (hope this doesn't change your show of good will) noticed my HUSKIES are stepping on the Texas Long Ears. :p Now don't go and pop my bubble and ask me about Miami.:mad: :p

IIRC its 32mm. You get it from a place that sells FWD axle sockets. IT will be 1/2" drive, and about $7-10.

Good luck!

Sitting here in shock.......
 

wondering if white or red wine is best when eating crow. :mad: :p

Best game we ever lost though. Applause.... Major Applewhite.:cool:

(Recovers from shock long enough to see the question has been answered.)

Thanks, hypntyz7!
:)

Just one bolt?
 

So after I take that one bolt off the hub it is smooth sailing from there? I don't have an impact can I just use a regular racket or is that committing tool suicide?

You can also use a 1 1/4" socket for that 32mm - they're the same size. I suggest 1/2" minimum drives on any sockets you use to remove hardware because I snapped plenty of 3/8" extensions trying to do the same. Air tools or a breaker bar are a must. I was standing / bouncing on my 12" wrench during my first attempt and couldn't get that thing to budge.

As far as the spline, either get a chisel or an old flat-head screw driver and hammer on it til you cut it off of the nut. You may ruin some cheap tools but it's better than having to buy a whole new shaft.

The last pull I did was on a car in a yard. Amazingly somebody there found a wheel cross / lug wrench with a 1 1/4" socket on it. We propped one end up and jumped on the cross til we finally got the nut to break. The other side wasn't quite as difficult.

You may need to also unbolt around the rotor to let it swing out / up in order to pull the shaft away from the differential.

oldest thread of the day! 7 years. :icon_tup: