I am trying to remove my drivers side front cv axle to replace it with a rebuilt axle on my 91 4runner. I have the axle ready to pull, but I can't seem to fit it out in the space between the lower control arm and the diff tube plate. I have the a.d.d. hubs. Do I have to remove the whole hub? It looks like I could get it out if I could remove 2 bolt studs from the diff tube plate, but I can't get them out. Are they pressed in or welded? I have seen reference to removing them on other threads. Anybody have any help from past experience? My Toyota Haynes manual has absolutely no info on this procedure. Thanks

 

Here is what I did with mine! It works pretty well. tho I havn't had to change my CV's on the trail (Knock on Wood)

Quick CV change


Matthew :alien:

 

It helps to unbolt the upper balljoint from the a-arm as well as the shock, that'll let you drop the lower arm further and should give you just enough room to get it out.

 

Hey Thanks Shane- removing the upper ball joint and shock absorber was the ticket. Just the four nuts on top to release the ball joint. I didn't have to remove the hub, caliper, or steering connections. Just a tip to others- be sure to have support for the lower arm so the brake line doesn't get too much stress on it. I finished the left cv axle and will do the right side next. It will be a lot faster this time now that I know what to do. The vibration I had at 60mph is now gone after doing one side. Let that Minnesota snow fly!

 

Just a tip as to how I did mine was I jacked up the frame untill the tire lifted off the ground. Then I put a jackstand under the frame to hold it up. I removed the floorjack. I also disconnected the lower shock bolt. This had the a arms at full droop. I then put the floor jack under the a arm and jacked it up as needed to allow the proper clearence at the proper time. In this way i did not have to fool with the ball joints.