Axle Shafts: Removal
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Mercury Villager. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel and tire assembly.
- Remove the axle shaft cotter pin. See Fig 1 .
- Remove the axle shaft hub nut and washer.
- Remove the stabilizer link nut. See Fig 2 .
- Remove the lower ball joint cotter pin. See Fig 3 . Remove the lower ball joint nut. Separate the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle.
- Remove the axle shaft support bearing bolts, when removing right side axle shaft. See Fig 4 .
- Place a suitable drain pan under axle shaft. Using a suitable pry bar, separate the axle shaft from the transaxle.
- Using the Front Hub Remover (205-D070, D93P-1175-B), separate the axle shaft from the steering knuckle. See Fig 5 .
- Remove the axle shaft.
CAUTION:
Extreme care must be taken to ensure that the pry bar does not damage the transaxle case, the transaxle oil seal, the axle shaft and CV joint or CV joint boot.