FRONT AXLE SHAFT
Removal
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheels. Spread locking tab on axle shaft nut and remove nut. Remove damper fork bolt and damper pinch bolt (if equipped). Remove damper fork. See Fig. 1. Separate
front stabilizer link and stabilizer. Remove brake hose clamp and ABS wheel sensor harness clamp bolts.

2. Remove lower ball joint cotter pin, and loosen castle nut half the length of ball joint threads. Using a ball joint puller, separate ball joint from front hub. Remove ball joint castle nut. Lower control arm and steering knuckle. Pull steering knuckle outward and remove axle shaft from hub assembly. If necessary, use a plastic hammer to remove axle shaft from hub.

NOTE:
DO NOT pull on inner CV joint or disassembly may occur. Be careful not to damage seals.

Using a large screwdriver, carefully pry inner CV joint and shaft assembly out of differential, dislodging retaining ring from its groove at end of axle shaft, or remove axle shaft from intermediate shaft (if equipped). Grip both sides of inner CV joint and remove
axle shaft from vehicle.

Answered by KHLow2008 (expert)
39,956 answers provided