I can't separate outer CV joint on the right half-shaft.
I can spread the retaining clip but the bearing cage assembly won't come off the shaft.
First I tried pulling by hand, then tapping with a brass drift and hammer, then I put
the shaft in a vise and pounded it with a brass drift and 2-lb sledge. Won't budge.

Any suggestions for removing the bearing cage?
Alternatively, is there a source for affordable replacements for the entire half-shaft?

Thanks for the help.

I have had luck (twice) by hanging the axle vertically in a vise, using a pair of ring spreaders, open the clip as wide as possible, and hitting downward on the housing. It helps to have an extra pair of hands. Don't give up!

Have heard good things about www.fcpgroton.com and their axles....trade for your core, only costs about $100.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.

Thanks for this suggestion. I called them yesterday, and they have an even more inviting deal: a new (not remanufactured) axle with both CV joints and a lifetime warrantee for $125 -- with no core charge and no exchange. The product is so new that it was not even on their web page yet. I ordered it immediately, since the price is not much more than my discounted CV R&R kit from Volvo.

Thank you, other posters, for your advice and suggestions.

Good information to know. I'll pass it on to others who post on other sites.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.

Getting the outer joint off can be a three handed affair. I have always used a pair of spreader pliers and an air hammer to drive the joint off with. First things first is to have the axle clamped horizontally in a vice, access the spot where the circlip is, make sure that the clip is free to rotate in there. If it is not then you need to drive the joint in the direction necessary to free it up. When you remove the axle from the car you usually end up driving the outer joint inwards and binding that clip so you need to drive the outer joint back out just a hair to free the clip. However since you have been banging on it with a brass drift you will probably need to tap on the end of the joint (where the big ass nut goes) just enough to drive it back in a free up the clip. Now with the clip free get in there with a pair of spreader pliers and get it spread real far and do one of two things, take an air hammer with a flat faced bit in it and drive the inner knuckle off of the shaft or have someone else take the big ass hammer and brass drift and give it a good whack to get it started. Either way the important things are: have the clip loose so that when you spread it it spreads ALL the way open and the intial hit, when you give it that first hit make it a real good square hit so that the inner knuckle on the outer joint pops past the groove on the shaft and the clip remains expanded. Going back together is the same thing only in reverse. Make sure that the clip is free floating when you are done. I have had a few axles that I actually put on the press to put back together. I probably could have persuaded them back together with the BFH but having a whole shop at my disposal I choose not to.

Good luck,
Mark