A read a post (on this site) the other day where someone said it was just as easy (or easier) to change the entire axle shafts as what it was to replace a torn boot. Well, I picked up the lifetime warranty axle shafts from Autozone but I have a question before I tear into it....the Haynes manual says you have to rip into the manual locking hub to remove the outboard end of the shaft, is this true? I know there are 6 bolts for the inboard end, but can anyone offer any detail as to what's involved with the outboard? Any help would be appreciated.

 

very interesting.

 

you do have to take off your hubs and take off an snap ring that hold the shaft into the hub/wheel assembly..

 

Yup, easy to yank the hub.. Remove that c-clip. Now here is another tip, Unblot the lower ball joint at the control arm (just 4 standard bolts) this will not harm the ball joint and it gives you plenty of room to work with, BTW, I left the stock bolts just the way they were.. Some people hammer them out to make swaps eaiser.. I think it is a lot eaiser to remove the 4 bolts at the ball joint. Also, lock the hubs and before you jack it up, break the nuts to the shaft free first.

 

hes got it down to a science.easiest way ive found

 

This thread is so old the OP has a 3rd gen in his sig now.