It's not hard with some basic mechanical skills and the right tools. First you'll need to jack the car up support it with jack stands for safety. Remove the hub cap & tire which will expose the axle nut (I think it's a 36 mm). Remove the axle nut all of the way. Remove the lower ball joint nut and pry the down on the lower control arm to release the ball joint from the hub assembly * (some cars have a wish bone at the bottom off the strut assembly in this case you'll needs to remove the lower bolt from that). Now you should be able to swing the hub away from the axle. You may need to remove the tie rod nut and free it from the hub also, some cars very. The axle may need to be tapped out to break it loose from the hub. If this is the case put the axle nut on to protect the threads and keep the end from mushrooming. Tap on the end with a brass hammer or you could use a piece of wood and hit it with a regular hammer. Once you are able to remove the outer joint from the hub you can attempt to knock the old joint off the shaft with a hammer while it still in the car (this may or may not work all the time but it saves removing the inner from the Trans.). Now to completely remove the axle from the car to making it easier to work on pry the inner joint away from the transmission housing being careful not to pry in any area that might snap or break off. Also keep a drain pan handy some vehicle will leak transmission fluid, if this is the case collect the trans. fluid and replace it upon completion off the job. Once the axle is out of the car hold it by the shaft near the inner cv joint and hit the outer cv joint off the axle with a hammer (I use a 5 lb. sledge). Then cut the old boot and clamps off with wire snips or you can usually tap a screw driver under the clamp and twist until it breaks.
Once you have the outer joint removed from the shaft you wipe everything down with a clean rag. Slip the boot on the shaft (don't clamp it yet!). Pack the outer joint with grease through the center hole until it squirts up around the balls. Don’t use all the grease yet (this way you can see the “c” clip and be sure that the joint goes on all of the way). Now line the joint up with the splines of the shaft and tap it in slowly making sure to protect the threads the same way you did upon removal. Once the joint has bottomed out onto the shaft you can then take what grease is left and place it on top off the area were you have been putting it in. Now lower the boot down around the shaft. Place the large clamp around the boot being careful not to cut the boot. Pinch the tabs on the clamp together until it’s snug (do not over tighten). Now put the small clamp on the shaft end Make sure that it lines up between the notches in the bar which hold it in place. Place a screw driver careful between the boot and shaft to release any trapped air they may be sucking the boot in or out of shape. Now tighten down the small clamp by pinching the tabs. Now you'll want to reinstall the axle.
Line up the splines of the inner joint with ones in the trans. and push the axle toward the trans. until you feel the clip seat. It may need a slight tap. Then place the outer joint through the hub and reattach the ball joint and/or your tie rod. Put on the axle nut and tighten it down. Reinstall the wheel and hub cap and then replace transmission fluid if yours came out. Now you’re ready to go. If you have any questions or concerns you can email me or call 1-800-338-2326 M-Sat. 8-6 e.s.t. and ask for Danny
Guide created: 06/16/06 (updated 08/17/08)

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