Has anyone been able to pull the driver side cv axle without buying a puller? I've tried going to autozone and oriellys and no luck with their rental tools. I tried yanking on it and the bands came off leaving me with the cup still stuck onto the transmission.

 

advance auto has better rental tools gl

 

nearest one is 61 miles away. Kinda need my car to reach it.

 

I've removed a CV axle on different GM cars with a large pry bar (has an angled end and is actually sold as a pry bar) and another way was using a drift and a hammer.

 

whats a drift?

 

Well some things like to be a pain in the butt.

The angled tip pry bar and some good violent pushes and pulls you should be able to cause the C-clip to pop out of its groove and everything should release for you.

A drift is typically a piece of brass like a chisel but with a broad blunt tip. Maybe 8" long 1.25 inches across. You rest it against the object your removing (usually at an angle) and then with a 2.5 lb ball peen hammer you give the drift a few hard raps hopefully dislodging the stuck object.

BOL getting it out and you new one installed.

 

I did order this set a little while ago. JEGS Performance Products 80024: 5-Piece Pry Bar Set | JEGS
Is there a way to get around the subframe to pound on the cup from behind like the passenger side axle?

 

Zippy is right about what a drift is. You might be able to use a long bolt as a drift (I've done that before). Get behind the cup and place your drift on it and a couple of smacks with a hammer or mini sledge on the drift and hopefully it will force it out.

 

I've always used a pry bar or crow bar