For the driver side I rented the axle adapter puller from Autozone: AZ977. I don't use it with a slide hammer though. I remove the plastic cover that goes over the axle. Then slide it behind the axle in such a way it will act like a lever . Then put a bar of metal against and give it a solid hit (I'm on the driver side hitting towards the car). It works really well and have done it multiple times.
The passenger side was tough on mine. Someone replaced the c clip on the axle with a different piece of metal. Then someone left a lot of marks on the aluminum transaxle trying to remove it. I ground the tip of jackhammer bit into a C shape and put it through the transaxle from driver side and used a sledge hammer to get it out. There is a specialized tool you can buy to do the same thing which Id recommend. Probably the reason they sold the car to me.
Here is the specialized tool I made a version of by grinding a jack hammer bit: https://www.amazon.com/OTC-7140-Halfshaft-Remover-Differential/dp/B000P6UNQA
I'd recommend buying it if you cannot get my suggestion above to work as it was a lot of work to make it. The tolerances have to be fairly tight for hand work too. The metal has to be strong as the tabs are thin. The first version I made from 1018 steel and the tabs bent hence the jack hammer bit.
I am also a solid believer in the OTC-7140. And I always figure on removing the passenger side axle, in order to get the driver's side axle popped out using the 7140.
Find myself replacing ball joints and tie rod ends too.
thanks for posting..
im spoiled and have 2, 12000lb lifts. i typically reach for my 60 inch cornwell pry bar. i also have the slide hammer attachments... total life savers.
The OTC tool is identical to the original Ford Special tool. The driver side is a pain. That tool is used by first removing the Passenger side axle (easier to do on the outside with just a regular pry bar) and going into the transaxle with that tool and driving out the other side shaft. The problem with the driver side (on many years) is that the transaxle casting blocks access to typical removal tools and you do not want to use the transaxle casting as a leverage point.
Yes; The driver's sides of the Escort transmissions, both the automatic and the manual, have a diagonal brace as part of the outer shape of the trans casting. Its more of being in the way with the automatic trans, but even with the 5-speed, you cant get a pry bar in there without dropping the front-to-rear crossmember that supports the bell housing. At that point it is possible to get a pry bar inserted at about a 45 degree angle, and with enough of a yank, to pop the driver's side CV axle out of the trans. At least out far enough that you can grab it by hand and pull it out.
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