How do you replace the drivers side half shaft?

Answer 1

The question you ask is tooinvolved for a proper answer. You may want to go to a car parts store, or book store, andget a repair manual for your car.They cost about $16.00Or, go to a Public Library.

First off, knowing what kind of vehicle you are doing this on, helps ! Axle shafts usually are one complete unit or they are like 2 shafts that make up one, often the transaxle end is an axle rod which is supported by an arbor, the actual axle shaft has the cv joints and it connects to the "axle rod" by way of the aupport arbor.

In removing this type of axle shaft, you don't have to mess w\ the end going into the transaxle, Its suggested that you can remove the axle shaft from the support arbor by tapping it out w\ a plastic mallet ?! Note that in this type of axle setup, you don't have to drain the transaxle fluid.

Otherwise the rest of the procedure for it or regular axle shafts are about the same.. If the axle is going to removed from the transaxle, you should drain the transaxle fluid.

Obviously all safety precautions should be taken w\ respect to jackstands supporting vehicle, wheels blocked, brake on, battery disconnected etc .. I will give generalized steps in how I have removed them..**NOTE, some vehicles may require removal of other components or special tools to complete the job, this is merely generalized!

In some cases you may consider leaving the car on the ground and in gear to LOOSEN the axle nut-Note-you need to unstake the little tab on the nut to be able to loosen it, Raise vehicle, remove wheel,Next loosen or remove the bolt where the ball joint connects to the spindle,In some cases you may have to remove the tie rod end from the spindle or you may need to remove the anti-roll bar bolts from their attaching point, usually a control arm bracket..I usually remove the anti-roll bar bolts from the bracket that attaches it to the control arm, this allows for more movement..

It may be a good idea to have an assistant at this point, or at the least, place a cinderblock or similar object nearby while you attempt to separate the ball joint from the spindle, I sometimes need a hammer to tap on the control arm to help loosen the balljoint from w\in the pinch bolt hole on the spindle.You might have to work it back and forth a little and push down on the control arm enough to get the balljoint out, you can then move the spindle assembly out of alignment w\ the balljoint, you DONT want to pull the spindle assembly towards you as this may over-extend the cv joints and possibly cause pre-mature failure, its been suggested.

An assistant could help to keep the spindle assembly from overextending at this point and offer some manueverability while you begin to remove the axle from the transaxle.

Otherwise you can set the spindle assembly on the cinderblock or other object that keeps the spindle at a level position,

Now, its time to remove the axle from the transaxle.It is said, you need only to use a prybay and gently pry or give a sharp rap w\ a hammer to remove the axle.

I've not found this the case, most often, it takes some brute strength, this depends on the accessibility to the trans side cv joint, if you can get in a couple of prybars one on one side of the shaft, one on the other so you can pry evenly, a little tap may be all it takes, but in most of my situations, you have to get in as best you can on a good angle and hammer away on the prybar.PLEASE note that you need to have some extension in the axle joints otherwise the axle is exerting some pressure on itself and while you're hammering to pry it out, it's working against you! You can fix this by positioning the spindle side joint slightly out from the car or have the assistant help w\ this...

((The thing that holds the axle in, is a C-shaped ring that in it's normal state is larger than the hole the axle passes through, upon insertion or removal the ring is compressed into the groove of the axle, once inside it pops back out.))

So just work at it and it should come out, I've not come across one yet that won't. *WARNING, be careful not to damage the transaxle seal while prying on the cv joint housing,Usually these seals have an outer hard metal casing and though you may end up bending it, doesnt always indicate its going to need replacing.. You'll know if you start seeing trans fluid on the ground <_>

As you are pulling the axle out of the transaxle (or reinstalling one) be careful as the splines could damage the transaxle seal, also be careful not to OVERextend the joints, again, at this point an assitant can be helpful for removing the loosened axle nut and getting the axle out of the spindle, or you may be able to lay the axle on the ground or an object to keep it level w\ the other end of the axle,Then you can remove the loosened axle nut, push or lightly tap the axle through the spindle and viola, axle removed.

There are some variations to how this whole procedure can be done but I outlined what is most common for me, I someone.