My experience has been varied.
Sometimes the joints fall off the shaft.  Other times you have to use a
press.  In between those two points is where most axles resign- you can
hammer the cv's off w/axle in the vise.

-----Original Message-----
From: Thomas D. Hanlon <hanran@EARTHLINK.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Thursday, November 25, 1999 2:26 PM
Subject: CV Joint separation from axle shaft

>Listees,
>
>In the process of replacing a torn CV joint boot, I have removed the
>half shaft from the rear suspension.  I am ready to remove the joint
>from the shaft.
>
>Bentley advises using VW tool (VW 408a on VW 402) to press the shaft
>from the CV joint, page 42.8, figure 5.
>
>Russek, page 112, advises, " Now place the shaft under a press and press
>it through the joint. "
>
>Haynes (page 8.3) advises "Supporting the joint across vice jaws and
>with the drive shaft hanging down, using a large drift, drive the shaft
>downwards and out of the the joint."
>
>Can anyone comment on the Haynes technique?  I am without access to a
>press, and the task of separating the CV joint from the shaft using a
>drift seems formidable.
>
>Tom Hanlon
>Palms Springs, CA
>84 Westfalia