Front Axles..

[craziloki]

So after taking me a blow torch, Pb blaster and most of the day I finally got the nuts off the hubs.. Now the axles won't come out with a hammer as the manual says... What is the best to get the axles out to replace motor and tranny? 97k miles 98 GSX.. Should I replace them, they were ok before the project? Also, I can't get the ABS sensor out as the manual says, how important is it to remove that?
Thank you!

 

[bane3d]

I had the same problem. I removed the tie rods so the nuckle could move independently of the steering. Then I removed the bolt that goes through the fork. Then I removed the ball joint at the top. This allowed me to pull the nuckle out from the car and gave me enough slack to pull the axles loose from the transmission. If you need pics, I can shoot some.

d

 

[craziloki]

That is what I was thinking I would have to do since they really dont NEED to come out of the hub.. I assume they slide out of the transmission pretty easily? What about the ABS sensor, how does that thing come out, I took the 12mm bolt off and it wont budge.. Pics would be great too! thanks

 

[snowborder714]

Be VERY careful with the ABS sensors. They are very prone to breaking and are expensive to replace. If you don't have to remove it, then leave it in.

 

[bane3d]

If I can get away from the housework tomorrow, I'll snap some pictures. I didn't remove the sensor. It goes:

Passenger
1. Remove the tie rod.
2. Remove bolt that holds the fork to the lower control arm
3. Remove the upper ball joint
4. Pull on the nuckle gently to relieve the pressure off of the axle
5. Pry the axle out of the transmission

Driver
1. Remove the tie rod
2. Remove the bolt that holds the fork to the lower control arm
3. Remove the upper ball joint
4. Remove the 3 bolts that hold the axle to the engine on the underside of the car.
5. Pull on the nuckle gently to relieve the pressure and pull the axle out of the transmission

Caveat
1. My bolt holding the fork to the lower control arm was seized in the bushing. I had to use a sawzaw and cut the bolt off.

2. My upper ball joint was fused to the nuckle assembly. I had to use the sawzaw again and cut the upper ball joint.

3. My axle would not release from the transmission on the passenger side. I may have missed a bolt holding it in. I ended up seperating the boot from the cv and leaving half of the axle in the transmission. I'll pull it out when I get the enginer out and I have more clearance to figure it out.

Repair
1. Buy new cv axle for passenger side
2. Buy new upper mounts with the ball joints pressed in already (they are cheap and mine have rust spots).
3. Buy new prothane bushing kit. I'll probably get the complete set and replace all of the rubber in the suspension.

Our cars are at least 10 years old. It's getting to the point where I have to break something that's fused or doesn't work in order to repair anything. It's an opportunity to slowly replace all old components.

d

 

[luv2rallye]

Don't need to remove ball joints: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/new...lved-need-help-wheel-hub-bearing-removal.html

In fact for removing tranny you don't need to remove axels from their hubs at all (just read 1st 3 sentences of this link).