Axle Shafts: Removal
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Lexus ES 330. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Raise and support vehicle.
- Drain transmission fluid into appropriate container.
- Remove front wheel.
- Loosen the staked part of front axle hub nut. While applying brakes, remove left front axle hub nut.
- Disconnect front stabilizer link assembly from the front shock absorber by removing nut. If the ball joint turns together with the nut, use a hexagon wrench (6 mm) to hold the stud.
- On models equipped with ABS, remove ABS wire sensor clamp. Then, remove bolt and disconnect sensor wire and front flexible hose from shock absorber.
- Remove bolt and disconnect speed sensor from steering knuckle.
- On all models, disconnect cotter pin and nut from tie rod assembly.
- Disconnect tie rod assembly from steering knuckle.
- Disconnect lower control arm from lower ball joint by removing bolt and 2 nuts. See Fig 1.
- Using plastic hammer, disconnect front axle shaft from hub assembly.
- Remove fender apron seals.
- Using appropriate puller tool, remove front axle shaft assembly. Use caution to not damage oil seal.
- Using pliers, remove axle shaft bearing bracket hole snap ring.
- Remove bolt from axle shaft bearing bracket. Remove right front axle shaft.