left cv axle TOYOTA AVENSIS Saloon (ZRT27, ADT27)

I had to do mine on an older Avensis few years back. Wasn't a CVT though, but general process should be similar innit. You'll need to crack the hub nut whilst car's on ground first - that's the massive 30mm one, proper tight. Then jack it up, remove wheel, take off brake caliper but don't disconnect the hose, just tie it up out the way. Pop the lower ball joint with a splitter tool, then pull hub away from the shaft. The gearbox end either slides out or needs a bit of persuasion with a pry bar.​​

@T. T. The tricky bit with these is getting it out from the gearbox side - there's a circlip holding it in. My neighbour showed me you need to twist it while prying at same time, eventually the clip pops into right position and shaft comes out. Just be careful not to damage the seal whilst you're at it, otherwise you'll have gearbox oil everywhere.​

Can't speak for CVT specifically but did watch that SKF video on an Avensis replacement - looked pretty straightforward on theirs. Reckon the main difference with CVT is you need to be extra gentle around the gearbox end, those automatic boxes are more delicate than manuals​​

My mate's a mechanic, he says Toyotas from that era can be properly stubborn to remove, especially left side. The shaft gets stuck in the gearbox and you end up needing a slide hammer or really solid pry bar. Took him ages on a Corolla which is similar setup​

@leo3__1 Negativerfahrung: I tried doing mine without proper ball joint splitter and absolutely buggered the boot in the process. Don't be tight like me, just get the right tools first time😅

There's that general Toyota CV axle video that shows the process but yeah, not T27 specific. The bloke in it uses a slide hammer with a fork attachment to pull it from gearbox. Might be worth having one ready just in case​

@T. T. If you do find a good video please share it here! I've got same car, 1.8 manual though, and been putting off doing mine for months because can't find proper guide neither

Another thing - make sure you've got fresh gearbox oil ready. When you pull that shaft out, you're gonna lose oil no matter how careful you are. Might as well top it up with new stuff whilst you're there​

@fish-chips Yeah my brother had nightmare with his Corolla too, ended up taking it to garage after two hours of trying. They said the T27s can be even worse because there's less working space around the driveshaft area​

Just remembered - you definitely want to drain some gearbox oil first before pulling shaft out, otherwise it proper goes everywhere when shaft comes free. Learned that the hard way on my old motor 😬​

@book_worm 📚 That circlip is a right pain. I've heard some folks say you need to get a thin but strong crowbar in there, lever it whilst rotating the shaft until it finally gives. Takes a bit of patience but beats breaking something expensive​

Not Toyota owner but had similar job on a Nissan with CVT. Main advice is don't rush it, those CVT boxes are pricey to fix if you damage internals. Take your time around gearbox end and maybe put a tray underneath to catch the oil