Okay I tried replacing my passenger side cv axle today, hearing it was an easy 1-2 hour job. Well, after I removed the tire I realized I have absolutly no idea what the heck I am doing. I read that there were 4 or 6 easy bolts to take off, but I have no idea what bolts to take off. Please help me! Point me in the right direction, pictures, write-ups, ANYTHING!

 

look on the axle, there is 6 bolts i belive right before it goes into the differential, take off your skid plate..

 

Thats it? I was doing somemore reading and it sounded like I needed to take out the caliper, brake disc, and ball joints just to get to the axle, then remove the 6 bolts connecting it to the differential.

I think Im trying to do way more work than I need too.

 

you take off the tire, then you have to somewhat dis-assemble the hub.. 6-bolts (hex head, if i remember right?), then you pull off the spacer ring, and a c-clip.. now the axle is free from the hub. then you have to unbolt it from the differential, easiest way is with air tools and a friend with his foot on the brakes. now the axle is free.. when people talk about removing the caliper, and disconnecting the sway-bar end link, shock, etc.. thats to drop the lower control arm, making it easier for when you go to replace the axle, the new one won't compress very much, and it's a bit of a pain to slide it back into the wheel assembly.. re-assemble the way you took it apart.

 

ahhh... okay, I think I got it now, Im gonna try again in the morning. I may have more questions then... hopefully not.

 

It's really easy if you have the specal socket for the Toyota hubs. I bought one from Northwest Offroad. Toyota dealers have these as well as auto parts stores' loan-a-tool programs.

 

You may want to do this too: http://www.off-road.com/toyota/cheaptricks/quickcv/

 

Here's a good write-up on removing CV's: http://www.nonsuv.com/ifsaxlechange

 

i thought u already had all that done and was just wondering how to remove the axle, sorry about that. i dont have much experiance with IFS, all mine is on the ground nect to the truck

 

Okay tried it again this morining, with having some direction on what to do. But now I have another problem, I cant get the bolts connecting the axle to the differential off. I know I don't have the necessary tools to do it, but even me and my dad both working at it can't get the dang things off. Any suggestions?

 

they're tough, use a long breaker bar.. and just keep pulling, make sure your on the nut, and not the stud (nut is on the side with the axle). i ended up having to use an impact gun.

 

Did you try Green's idea about a foot on the brake? May have to put it in 4WD. Maybe put a pipe over a breaker bar for some real leverage or hit them with a little heat too.

 

alright, well I gave up for today and am probably gonna wait for my mechanic friend to get a day off so he can help me out. But thanks for all the info, just wish I had more tools and experience.

 

well, tools cost $$$, and your already working on the experience gotta start somewhere

 

I don't want to start a new thread about CVs so ill ask it in this one. I was planning on going on a fishing trip this week and was wondering if damaged cv axles would be fine on a 4 rated trail? I've never been wheeling before and am just gonna take it easy.

 

from what i understand the axle is still 'together', but its just making noise right? if this is the case then it should be fine, just don't use 4wd. if you had manual hubs would make it even less of a concern

 

Actually my axle sounds fine, Im not getting any noise from it at all. The boots are torn but thats the only bad thing I can see. The only reason I am changing them is because Brakes Plus said I should. For all I know the axle could be fine (minus the ripped boots of coarse).

 

Don't do it if the boots are torn. Dirt mixed with grease doesn't work very well.

 

yea, but a weekend trip should be ok if its just the boots..

 

Would I be able to duct tape it up to keep the dust out?
Okay, it is just gonna be like a half day trip, and the trail is only 2.4 miles to get to the lake.