Removing RH drive shaft on 5S-FE

[Camry92]

Hi Everyone,

Great forum !

I am looking for help / tips / experience on removing the right hand (passengers side) drive shaft from a GEN 3 4 cylinder Camry with an Automatic Transmission. This drive shaft has a bearing on it that passes through the rear engine mount. The outer race of these bearings seize (rust) into the motor mount so that they are really difficult to remove without taking the whole engine mount off and pressing the drive shaft out with a press.

Does anyone have any tips or hints that would allow you to remove this drive shaft without taking the motor mount with it ?

Thanks a bunch

[bronzemaxell]

Originally Posted by Camry92

Hi Everyone,

Great forum !

I am looking for help / tips / experience on removing the right hand (passengers side) drive shaft from a GEN 3 4 cylinder Camry with an Automatic Transmission. This drive shaft has a bearing on it that passes through the rear engine mount. The outer race of these bearings seize (rust) into the motor mount so that they are really difficult to remove without taking the whole engine mount off and pressing the drive shaft out with a press.

Does anyone have any tips or hints that would allow you to remove this drive shaft without taking the motor mount with it ?

Thanks a bunch

i was one of the stupid one that took out the rear engine mount bracket along with the CV axle, i am not sure if i was glad i did that, because after i removed the whole thing out, my mechanic friend put the engine mount bracket on the big vise, and use a big hammer pounded it 3 time, wouldn't budge, he was afraid if he hit it a few more time, it would destroy the whole axle or bearing, so for the life of me, i don't think i could ever take that axle out of the rear engine bracket, in the vehicle or outside of vehicle.

i've also used a lot of WD40, but didn't help and there is not much room down there, i didn't try fire though.

[67galax]

I dont know if you've tried this or not, but there is a bolt/nut/setscrew that holds that bearing in place. I just swapped transmissions, so I've been in there recently. I had no trouble taking the whole thing (axle shaft/bearing combo) out. It was only after I had it out that I read the manual where it said to loosen the set screw/bolt. Mine was already loose.

[Camry92]

Thanks for the good suggestions.

Yes, I have made sure to remove the small bolt with the rubber tip before trying to get the axle out of the engine mount but thanks for the reminder.

I have also tried combinations of penetrating oils (WD-40, Kroil, Release-All etc...) as well as using an air chisel to vibrate the engine mount all with no success. You are absolutely right about there being limited room and it is awkward to remove and separate the rear engine mount.

I wanted to add some heat to the equation but was a little leary of using the torch in that confined space but if someone has had success I would be happy to try.

I am thinking that the good folks at a Toyota dealership who do these regularly have a few tips that would make the job easier. Does anyone know a Toyota mechanic who would be willing to share ?

[jeffinchrist]

96 Camry-RH: had to cut shaft in half to remove and put in vice to hammer frozen carrier brearing;LHefinitely use a slap hammer after cutting off the shaft at the inner boot. The claws will have to grip the outside of the housing, as there is nothing inside to set the teeth of the puller jaws into. Prybars didn’t work for me, and I had to cut off the shaft nut as well. Removing the strut from the steering knuckle was fine (instead of the tie rod, etc.), and I had to loosen the strut at the top to create clearance for the slaphammer.

[rusty9]

keep soaking it with pb blaster and use the torch to expand the housing, not at the same time tho! =) removed the big snap ring? stupid question, but you never know lol. if you are getting a whole new assembly(usually comes with new bearing) just use the air chisel to "persuade" the bearing free.