CV Axle Install ??

When installing a new CV axle, should the opening of the C clip be up or down? I read both. Just want to be clear on this.

Can a slide hammer be adapted to remove the CV axle?

 

Doesn’t matter. Easier to use a pry bar to get a CV out

 

I believe I installed mine with the opening on the bottom.

 

On first gens the opening of the c-clip faces down and theoretically it's easier to get in/out that way, but only one time have I ever been able to easily pop in a cv by hand. Every other time no matter which way the c-clip was facing, I had to beat that sucker in.

Never used a slide hammer but I usually just thread the axle nut on the end to protect the threads, then give it some tough love taps with a mallet until it pops in.

The threads get messed up easily so do not beat on the end of it without putting the axle nut on first

 

It should be done by hand. The side gear in the diff has a lot of slop though so sometimes you just gotta wiggle it a bit to get th splines aligned and it really helps to hold the whole CV perfectly horizontal and then just shove it in

 

I positioned the c-clip opening facing down. Pushed CV in place as far as I could, then put a ball peen hammer against the outer axle so as not to contact threads, and tapped on in with a 5lb sledge. Went right on in.

I did the pry bar method to get the cv out. Didn’t have any sizeable wire on hand to do the noose method.