imported_Ryan_C

I am about dead tired as of Saturday Evening... and I also have tried browsing and looking for my answers as much as I am capable.

This is all on my 94 Maxima GXE Auto (I believe this would be a 3rd Gen VG)

So far I have replaced the Water Pump, Timing Belt, Thermostat, and the 3 belts. I would probably still be working on that if it wasn't for this forum. Thanks a lot guys!!!

I am now working on getting the old axles off. So far I have been using the directions I found here: http://www.mattblehm.com/faq/CV%20boot%20change.txt

I am taking the Passenger side off first. I have it removed from the knuckle but am confused as far as how to actually get it out of the transmission. I notice that there are 2 smaller bolts that look nearly impossible to get to near the intermediate shaft.

Can anyone shed light on how to remove those 2 smaller bolts? They look like they are 10 mm and they are rusty as hell. The exhaust and the big *** black brace (looks like a tranny/engine mount to this and is bolted from front to rear of engine bay underneath) is totally in the way.

Also, I would like to have the driver's side axle removed and replaced by tomorrow (Sunday). If there is anything that anyone can give me a few pointers before that happens I would be graciously thankful.

In addition to all of these requests I will have pictures posted up of my beyond dead axles after I am done. These axles have been this way for at least 2 years now.

Thank you to everyone that has already helped me, and to those that will in the future!

~ Ryan_C

Greeny

iTrader: (43)

Is this what you are trying to remove???

vansskaterfreek

iTrader: (14)

i am almost positive that is what he means... the junk car that i tried to take the axles off the nuts were rusted as hell also...so i just left the axle..... if i were you.... id keep on trying to use different kinds of sockets and stuff.... try a pair of vice grips too or if they are rusted to ghell... drill them out.. but use this as a last resort....the passenger side isnt too hard to get off (after u get them nuts undone) but the drivers is fun (you must yank it out)

imported_Ryan_C

That is the part I am talking about. Do I need to remove the large black brace that is preventing me access to that with sockets?

vansskaterfreek

iTrader: (14)

that brace is what your motor sits on.. if u remove that.. you wil have big problems..(engine falling on you)

imported_Ryan_C

So to prevent the engine from falling on me, how do I accomplish this feat? I want to be able to be done with this totally tomorrow sometime.

My brother wants his garage space back as of like Monday... and now that we got like 3-4 inches of snow, I know he won't be happy.

vansskaterfreek

iTrader: (14)

use an extension while using sockets to see if you can clear the obstacles in your way.... if not use vice grips

Greeny

iTrader: (43)

You do not need to take engine support off to get to the 3 bolts off...Here is what used...


For the 2 bottom bolts...3/8 drive ratchet/12mm deep socket/6" extension

3/8 drive and 12mm deep on the bottom bolt

top bolt closest to engine, add the extension go at it from the other side of the y pipe...

Greeny

iTrader: (43)

Continued............



A 1/4 inch drive and12mm socket stuck in the end of a pipe for a extension.

This bolt is the hard one to get to,you are only able to make small turns on this bolt....Have patience with this part of the axle removal...

vansskaterfreek

iTrader: (14)

but he said his bolts are rusted as hell... i dont know if he can get a socket on them...pics maybe???

imported_Ryan_C

After the Denver game I will be sliding back under there to finish this up. Thanks for the awesome guide. I have all of those tools to, so I will not need to run out to get the right tool.

My Nuts (under the maxima) do look fairly rusted. I will see what I can do. I briefly tried to slip a socket onto them, but couldn't even get to them last evening. I was just to bushed by then to think any more.

Thanks again everyone!

vansskaterfreek

iTrader: (14)

i think they are 12 mm..... try an 11 MM and if u can get itto wrok...good for ya!

imported_Ryan_C

Well that bottom 12 mm bolt gave me the most trouble. I was able to remove the old passenger side axle after some WD-40 and an impact hammer w/ a wedge extension. But that messed up my bolt (wasn't thinking when I first started at it) because I couldn't get the bolt out and the rachet and socket was still left up in there. They were stuck in there. (I also didn't think to use needle nose pliers to hold onto the threads and to give my rachet more room to be able to get out of there until I was installing the new axle.

The new axle is up and almost all the way on, but I was missing 1 of the 3 bolts. That 3rd one was never there. And now I only have 1 good bolt. The threads on the other bolt got messed up from the impact hammer. I have been calling any of my friends I thought that might have a tap-n-die set, but no one is answering.

vansskaterfreek

iTrader: (14)

go to local hardware store (sears will have it) i only have one bolt holding in my passenger axle... is this good??? or do i need all 3?

aminus21

iTrader: (14)

Glad you got it done.. I removed my y-pipe, and all three of the 12mm bolts where right in my face..,, (just tellin ya for next time )

imported_Ryan_C

Just got back from a friend's house that helped me out with the threads on the 2 bolts I still have. First thing tomorrow morning I am going to get these damn axles taken care of!

I really hate messing with the exhaust unless I am replacing it. Because of the problems I will end up running into there as well. But that should have been an option for me. But I totally avoided that one.

imported_Ryan_C

Also, I plan on just installing the passenger side axle with only the 2 bolts I have.

A side note/question:

Will a mixture of coolant and water degrade a CV boot to the point that there is no boot left at all? ... this looks like what happened to my boot, seeing the coolant leaking down in that direction when I had everything apart before the water pump was replaced.