I have my niece's 2003 S60 in the shop for a new axle. The driver's side is putting up a pretty good fight. I have tried driving in a chisel in between the bell for the inner joint and the case, a regular old wrecking bar, etc. No joy. I'm not excited to hit it too hard and break the transmission case.

The inner joint fell apart when I pulled the hub off so there is plenty of access. The stub left in the differential slides back and forth an 1/8" so I don't think it is an issue with rust.

What has worked for you ?

Thanks

Greg

The driver's side has a circlip holding the shaft to the case. In most cases, a pry bar hit with a closed fist is enough to get it to pop out. Don't use a BFH.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

Hi Klaus,

I finally got the axle out. I used a 3" muffler clamp to attach a loop of chain to the stub of the axle that was stuck in the differential. Several whacks didn't do anything. I drove a 3/4 cold chisel in between the case and the stub and tried the slide hammer again. It popped right out.

The splines were rusty. The movement I was feeling might have just been side play in the differential gear.

Greg