does anyone know of anywhere online where i can get a step through diagram of front axle install for an VG auto? thanks Jon

 

always check the General Maintenence FAQ for stuff like this, chances are its in there. this is from a site Jeff listed-->

http://www.cybrrpartspro.com/Chilton...961CH07_5.HTML

just a fair warning...the right side axle nut will need air tools(at least 240lb) or some inginueity to get it loose.

 

so have you done this install? how long did it take you?

 

heh, how long? you don't wanna know....but it only took long because my tools were lacking!

I didn't reinstall them, I just removed them so I could get the motor out of my wrecked car sometime this month...anyways, the axle nut on the pass side is a supreme ***** to get off, tight as all hell. I used an impact gun, but you can use the method from the Chilton's manual or a breaker bar with a 3-4' pipe "attached" (a 4DSC.com exclusive tool ) combine that with a whole lot of stomping, jumping, slipping and swearing and it should come right off

 

I did this on my friends Max about 3 weeks ago. It was a reasonably easy install. The passenger side nut wasn't an issue. I had the dude hit the breaks and I used a breaker bar on the nut. The 3 bolts that hold the alxe to the engine were a ******. I used a swivelhead ratchet with a short socket to get them off.

Don't forget the metal gromet thing on the end of the passenger side axel, our reman didnt come with it and I had it almost all back together before I noticed it.

It was about a 5 hour job, not including the trip to the store for a 12mm wrench. Or the trip for the cotter pin. Or the last trip for the funnel to fill the tranny. I had also never done an axel job before either.

Not bad for a novice!

 

1. Go to home Depot and rent air tools if you don't have them
2. Remove strut and spring assembly (2 17mm bolts above the hub, 3 14mm bolts under the hood)
3. Remove axle nut cotter pin
4. Use air tools to remove axle nut
5. pull hub away from axle
6. remove axle by pulling on it, using the joint section as a reverse hammer to bang it out
7. Replace axle seal
8. replace axle
9. put axle back thru hub and re-install axle nut and cotter pin
10. put the strut back on
11. return air tools to home depot
12. buy you some air tools while you're there

total time about 1-1/2 if you're really slow like me. It took me about 45 minutes of that time just to get the axle seal out. until I came here and asked someone, then I finished that part in about 5 minutes

note: completing step 12 first will eliminate steps 1 & 11, plus save yo a bunch of grief down the line