"nospam" <nospam@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:GtBpg.1398$PE1.1202@newsread2.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
>A correction or two... the locknut on the outer tie rod end is a 19mm, not
>17. And when installing the lower ball joint in the steering knuckle, make
>sure the cotter pin hole is parallel to the knuckle, not in line with it.
>You want to be able to replace the cotter pin as easily as possible.
>
> Also, if any of the cv boots are torn or otherwise busted, good chance the
> joint has gone south. We had a new boot kit for our passenger side, but
> closer examination and a careful scrutiny of Haynes convinced us to just
> get a rebuilt driveaxle and go with it. A core charge will probably apply
> when you buy the part. This is what we did to replace the passenger side
> driveaxle...
>
> You have to get down and dirty again. First take your oil change pan and
> drain the transaxle (that's the part the driveaxles fit into) of its oil.
> Looking at the transaxle from the passenger side, there will be a plug at
> the lowest point which takes a 3/8socket. You may want to use your
> 1/2x3/8 adapter to enable use of the larger ratchet. Once the transaxle
> is drained, replace the plug and remove the oil.
You can do this but usually it is not necessary. The amount of oil that will
come out of the transaxle through the axle shaft hole is a very small amount
(at least on most vehicles I have done this on) so a small pan to catch the
half pint or less is all that is required.
>
> Take a pry bar and put it between the transaxle and the metal end of the
> driveaxle and pry the driveaxle off. It should come out pretty easily.
> Slide it all the way out of the way. Get your replacement driveaxle and
> check to make sure the spring clip is on the end. I found it best to keep
> the outer end of the driveaxle tied up with wire while I worked on the
> inner part. Slide the end of the driveaxle into the transaxle as far as
> you can. If you can shove it in until it seats, well and good. I
> couldn't. There were no round wooden dowels close by at the time so I
> used a wooden 1x2 about fifteen inches long and a rubber mallet, placed
> the 1x2 verrrry carefully on the lip of the metal end of the driveaxle on
> the boot side and gave it a few light taps with the mallet. It seated as
> I tapped. You can tell if the driveaxle seats because if it does, you
> can't pull it back out with your hands. That's it, and it's pretty
> simple, really.

Another hint here - use the axle nut installed backwards, that is with the
flange side out, run it down about half its depth (this protects the threads
on the new axle shaft) and tap on it lightly until the axle seats... There
is nothing wrong with using a wooden dowel or drift of some sort but the
axle nut is always available.

Dave D