Using Slide Hammer For CV Axle Removal....?

I'm a toolaholic and can't seem to help myself.....

Has anyone tried using a "hook" attachment on a slide hammer to persuade the CV axle to leave the front diff?

or.......

....using the choker cable method and a slide hammer with a 5/8-18 female rod end. (choker around CV axle, loop bolted to rod end on slide hammer)

 

I tried a BFSH (big fucking slide hammer) without any luck.
I ended up turning the axle a little bit at a time to find the sweet spot and popped it out with a pry bar.
These trucks have very stubborn axles compared to the GM trucks I've worked on.

 

Try the hook but use a couple of screw clamps to help keep it in place.

 

The slide hammer should help. The sudden shock loads usually does the trick.

 

I just did one of my axles and used this to make a loop around the end of the axle at the diff, and made a loop on the other end just clear of the hub and stuck a head of mini-sledge through it, yanked hard on the handle twice and it popped right out.

 

I’ve used it and works great. Little setup time with the clamp to hold the hook in, but it usually pops right off after that

 

An alternative method is lining up a flat spot on the inner CV and tapping it out with a flat chisel and hammer. I just rotate the CV and tap the flat spots (3 or 4 of them) until it pops free

 

I'm preparing for when I do the passenger side. I think I have all the methods of CV axle removal covered - hammer/chisel, pry bar, cable choker w/slide hammer, "hook" w/slide hammer. The only thing I'm missing and it's preventing me from doing the driver's side (with ECGS bushing) is warm weather.

 

This has been my method on every vehicle I've ever pulled axles on, though a pry bar works as a chisel too if you don't have good clearance....and thats a crap ton on many makes and models. No need to over think this guys.