Possible quick axle removal

[fastclip]

Hey I was wondering if this was a good idea or possibility and how hard if at all it would be to reinstall.

Okay well I am getting ready to pull my engine for a winter build, so reading on here and friends all said to pull the engine with the tranny. Well the thing that sucks is in the spring I had to replace my axles and remember how much of a pain it was. So I got to looking at the car with a friend and came to the conclusion.

Why can't you just remove the two upper bolts in the engine bay that connect the upper control arm (no its free) and then remove the bolt that holds the lateral control on the inside, closes to the tranny, and that will free the lateral. Now, your hub is lose enough to move left and right to get your axle popped out...

Now has anybody tried this and what type of experience did you have?? Even if so I will take pics and do a step by step because I haven’t seen one and maybe this turns out easier.
or

 

[just2asian]

when I did my car, all I did was just remove the lower control arm bolts and the axles swung right out. However if you do try pullin your axles out of your hub, try using a larger or heavy duty gear puller. I've been told that it works extremely well, but yes, your way will also work as well

 

[turbosax2]

This is how I do it. Easy as pie.

http://www.columbusdsm.com/resources/knowledge_base/kb_00022_2G_Turbo_FWD_tranny_removal.htm

 

[fastclip]

Just2asian.... Yea i found out that a rubber mallet works pretty good with the axles, just back the bolt out a little and give it a few whacks, also found out its good to use a rubber mallet, and not to hit the wheel studs because they just pop right out. . But hopefully they will just pop right out anyways as they haven't been on the car for more then 5 months.

trubosax2... Appreciate the link i bookmarked it. That is a good way to get the tranny out, specially since you know i will probably go through a few or clutches( but hopefully not). But this time the tranny is coming out with the engine. thanks I know this will be useful in the future.

Then like i said i will take a step by step picture thing just to help others, all though it is pretty simple. But i remember when i looked on here back last spring all i could really find was the steps to pop out the ball joints like the manaul tells you to do with each one.

 

[luv2rallye]

Unbolt the 2 lower arms at the chassis end and remove the damper fork bolt and the entire assembly will swing out far enough to pull the axels out of the tranny. (And you don't need to undo any ball joints this way.)

 

[fastclip]

Okay, so yea that was so much easier than before.
All I needed was a:
A Breaker bar
A 32MM (for axle nut)
flat head screw driver
17MM


Got one B.A. wrench and took the axle nut off.
I removed the upper 2 nuts that hold the upper control bolt off.
Then I took the bolt out of the damper fork
Then the lower lateral arm(just the bolt that holds it to the chasis, not to the hub assembly.)
Pushed in the axle, so it would come out of the hub.
I took a flat head screw driver and pryed the end that sticks in the tranny out. Being careful not to damage around the axle.
The axle came out.......Mater of maybe 30 mins for both sides and having a friend help.

 

[wret]

For future referrence: you need only remove the two bolts in the lower lateral control arm; one at the chasis, one at the shock fork. Not the compression control arm, not the ball joints, not the upper arm.

 

[fastclip]

I didn't remove the ball joints, that is what i was avoiding. Also i wanted to see about removing the top ones because it seemed easier

 

[2slow4now]

Hey fastclip this works awesome also it helps if you have a buddy turn the wheel a little. I'm glad I looked this up. thanks