Resolved: Stuck CV joint Driver side

I have recently changed
my Prius II transaxle including CV joint.

Torn boot with leaking grease. Decided to change whole axle with an OEM low mileage donor unit.

Can be an easy fix.

1. Unstake and remove Lug nut.
2. Remove 2 x 17 mm nut & 1 x 17 mm bolt from lower control arm.
3. Pull out CV axle

Replace in opposite order.

However! Sometimes the axle is stuck and hard to remove.

Different solutions have been posted.
1. Hammer/pry with a prybar , 2 man job while one is also pulling.
2. Tear inner CV boot and place Vice grips to inner CV joint from Transaxle spindle. Yank it out as one unit.
3. Sometimes no. 2 in combination with glide hammer.


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I have no Vice Grip and no slide Hammer. Looked for a cheap alternative solution with no boot cutting hassle.

Alternative cheap solution:

Space is narrow.

I decided to sneak a steel wire around the CV joint mount. Leading the strands out to the side of the car, wrapping it around my Jack Handle.

Hereafter doing some “Power Rows” - ca 20 of them. While also alternatively turning the axle in order to maybe loosen the snap-ring to a favourable position.


Pictures for demonstration.