Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

This may or may not help people!
I have RD Enterprises CV driveshafts and am currently stripping everything down. My notes indicated putting the integral bearings into the diff case required quite a lot of persuasion, so I was anticipating some effort to remove them. Note that with the RD CV shaft arrangement the driveshaft and bearing are integral with the joint itself , so the Colin Croucher slide hammer approach in not possible without dismantling the CV joint.

I asked RD if they had any advice - got an answer "tap gently until they come out". I didn't like this idea so rummaged through my brain (small) and then toolbox (large) for a better approach.

Eventually found I could reverse my track rod joint splitter and apply outward force quite easily. Means putting on a bit of force then rotating 180deg but non-traumatic and bearing came out nicely. 2 applications 180der appart before a little sound indicating the bearing had stated to move. Picture explains better I think.

Once the Circlip that holds the Bearing is removed i use a Sliding Hammer on the Drive Shaft.
With CVs i would think remove CV Bolts first so you can then attach Sliding Hammer to Output Flange.
Alan

an old/spare drive shaft makes a great 'slide hammer'

I would be a bit concerned about applying load which is not concentric in case it damaged the bearing housing

sure looks like the flange is bolted on.....

I have found applying a little heat around the casting where the bearing is retained, releases the tension on the bearing and the stub axle will slide out easily.

Maybe on one that has been out recently but no way on earth when they have some grime, corrosion and loctite on. As Jon says, a slide hammer is required that pulls square. I have one with a big weight on and have had significant heat and half a dozen slams with an 18 inch slide hammer shaft (with a weight that would pull you out of bed). Done this on numerous diffs, out of car.


Yes, it is made from an old shaft.

Ithink some of you are missing the point. The RD CV diff output shafts are integral with the joint. To use a slide (Greek screwdriver) requires dismantling the CV joint, not a course I wished to pursue.

Both my bearings came out with relatively little applied force - like I said, apply a little force, remove, rotate 180 Deg and repeat until it comes out.

If you rotate the shaft it changes nothing.
the outer race of the bearing does not rotate. You need to change the position of the extraction tool
Alan

I just looked on RD's site

they are bolted together as is apparent in the pic here.

Not to say this method will not work, obviously it does, but I think it would be easier to unbolt the flange and use a standard puller.

I do find it odd that you would need new bearings as they are not very heavily loaded

gus wrote:I just looked on RD's site

they are bolted together as is apparent in the pic here.

Not to say this method will not work, obviously it does, but I think it would be easier to unbolt the flange and use a standard puller.

I do find it odd that you would need new bearings as they are not very heavily loaded

That's what i said above unbolt BUT use a Sliding Hammer
Alan