Questions and Answers

Maxima Axles Q. Dear Vincent, 1992 Nissan Maxima GXE single overhead cam engine 133,000. I couldn't get the left half shaft out of the transmission to replace the outer boot. So I did it on the car taking apart the wheel side. I had trouble reinstalling because the clip prevented the half shaft from going together.

I then tried putting it together without the clip and that worked.

Questions are:
1. What's the trick for removing the half shaft from the transmission.
2. Is not having the clip installed a big problem?

Thank you,
John

A. Since you said you didn't get the axle out, I'm going to assume you are referring to the C-clip holding the outer joint in.

That C-clip holds the joint together and leaving it out it not a good idea. The joint will, very likely, slide off the shaft under certain conditions. The trick to getting the joint back on is this. Put the C-clip on the shaft and line up the joint as perfectly straight as possible with the shaft. Then with a block of wood on the end of the shaft, tap it onto the shaft with a BFH. It will slide on and snap into place.

The trick in removing the axle from the transmission is this. Using a big screwdriver, get in between the inner joint and the transmission and pop it out. Use a sharp motion to do the popping. Once it's out you will see the same type of C-clip as on the joint. Installing is basically the same. Line up the axle as straight as possible and using a block of wood and BFH, pop it back into the transmission. Sometimes they pop right in and sometimes it takes a little work.

Always use a new clip and avoid spreading it out as you install it. If it spreads out too much, reinstallation will get more difficult if not impossible.

Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA