Removal (Millenia & 626)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2001 Mazda Tribute, 2001 Mazda Protege, 2001 Mazda Millenia, 2001 Mazda MPV, and 2001 Mazda 626. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Raise vehicle on hoist or support vehicle with stands. Drain transaxle fluid. Remove wheel and tire assembly. Remove inner fender shield. Remove wheel speed sensor. Raise lock tab on axle shaft lock nut. Apply brakes and remove axle shaft lock nut.
Using Puller (49-T028-3A0), separate tie rod end from steering knuckle. Remove stabilizer bar from stabilizer link and remove stabilizer link from lower control arm. Remove lower control arm ball joint from steering knuckle. On Millenia, disconnect upper lateral link ball joint and suspend it from strut coil.
On 626, suspend engine using engine support bridge. Remove left crossmember. On all models, carefully insert pry bar between inner CV joint and transaxle or intermediate shaft so as not to damage boot or oil seal. Using hammer, lightly tap end of pry bar to unseat inner CV joint assembly from transaxle or intermediate shaft. See Fig 1 .
Remove axle shaft assembly from hub. If axle shaft is stuck to hub, reinstall axle shaft lock nut until flush with end of axle shaft, and tap end of axle shaft with brass or plastic hammer. Install Side Gear Holder (49-G030-455) into transaxle.

Fig 1: Prying Drive Axle Shaft From Transaxle, Intermediate Shaft Or Differential

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

NOTE: DO NOT disassemble outer CV joint. Replace outer axle shaft and CV joint as an assembly. Service outer boot only after Inner CV joint has been removed.

NOTE: Before disassembling right axle shaft assembly, measure and record dynamic damper position from axle shaft end. See Figure .