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Drive axles in front-wheel-drive vehicles have many parts. Their boots and CV joints eventually wear out. (The two prominent joint styles are tri-pot, shown here, and double-offset.)
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Replacing the entire drive axle assembly is much more efficient than servicing the boots and CV joints. We borrowed the necessary specialized tools?spindle-nut socket and tie-rod-end puller?from the local parts store.
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First, raise and secure the vehicle, then remove the tire and wheel. The spindle nut is often "staked" or secured with locking tabs. Use a chisel or screwdriver to unlock the nut.
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Use the appropriate-sized spindle-nut socket on a breaker bar to loosen the nut. A prybar or large screwdriver helps hold the hub in place.
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On some vehicles, the caliper and rotor must be removed. Then separate the lower control arm from the damper fork (if equipped).
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Remove the cotter pin, then unbolt the lower control-arm ball joint from the steering knuckle with a tie-rod-end puller. Swing the knuckle and hub outward till the drive axle is free.
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Carefully pry the drive axle outward at the transmission.
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Remove the old drive axle.
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Insert the replacement shaft then reverse the rest of the disassembly process.
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Make sure to use a new cotter pin when reattaching the lower ball joint to the steering knuckle.
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