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Installs : Front Axles Track season is coming up and the the CV joints on the Eclipse are pretty worn. There's been some clicking noises in the turns and upon further inspection, we had a couple of torn CV boots. Now, replacing the CV boots is the cheapest way to go, but it may be easier (and cheaper in the long run) to just look into replacing the whole axle. We decided to do just that. We chose to go with Raxles complete axles. These axles come complete with new CV joints, not rebuilt joints like those found at most local parts shops - and installation was not all that bad. Take a look.... Parts Installed Two complete front axles from Raxles. Step 1 Have a shop manual available for reference. Jack the car up, remove the wheels and drain the tranny fluid. Start with the passenger side. Unbolt the tie rod from the hub, as well as the lower ball joint. Use a pickle fork and grease the boots a little to prevent damaging them. Remove the axle nut - this is tough. We were able to use the extension handle from our jack to get some leverage on our 1/2 inch ratchet (and some Liquid Wrench). Step 2 You may need a mallet to knock the axle loose from the hub once the nut comes loose, but ours slid out pretty easy. Pull the hub (rotor assembly) just enough to slide the axle out. Now all you need to do is pry the axle out from the tranny. We were able to do this with a flat head screwdriver. There's a frame brace that might get in the way (at least on the 91 GSX). Remove the four bolts that hold it in place and you should have easy access. The photo above is actually of the driver's side but you can see what a mess a torn boot can make. Now on to the driver's side, which requires a little more work.... Step 3 Repeat steps one and two on the driver's side to remove the hub from the axle. Before you can pop the axle out of the tranny on AWD models, you'll need to remove the axle carrier bearing, which looks like a bracket that holds the axle to the frame. It's located between the inner boot and the tranny. Now, it was a little tough to get to so we unbolted the downpipe from the O2 housing which made it a little easier. Once the bolts are removed, the axle should slide out. You'll need that bearing for the new axle, so pound it out with a mallet, trying not to damage it. Take note of how deep it sits in the old axle. Step 4 Using a mallet/hammer, carefully pound the bearing into the new axle. Install the new axles just the opposite of removal. Tap the axles into the tranny with a mallet if needed. You might want to check the rubber seals first and replace them if they look/feel damaged. Bolt the axle bearing back up to the frame on the driver's side and reinstall the hubs. Fill the tranny with fluid and check for leaks. Take it for a drive and check the fluid level and leaks once again. To discuss this article, click here... Special thanks to Raxles.com