CV Axle Replacement ... express method!!

Recently, I had one of the boots rip on my 2007 Tacoma (105k mi) and I called up my brother (ASE tech) and asked him about replacing just the boot. He suggested I just replace the axle seeing as I'll have it apart and all and also because the boots were not a very fun thing to replace. So I got on RockAuto and ordered a new axle.

I got the truck up on the lift yesterday and was going to follow this how-to here: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...axle-replace-front-wheel-bearing-2nd-gen.html. I get use of the lift at his shop and he helps me out between inspections. So I was about to remove the upper ball joint as he was coming over to get some tools out of the tool box, and he says "What are you doing?" .. I gave him a puzzled look and was like "Uhhhh axle?" He promptly goes "Let me show you the easy way to do that, big shot."

So here is the easy way. If you are only replacing the axle and not the wheel bearings, you can do it on about <30 minutes. Here is how you do it, express:

1) Remove wheel/tire.
2) Remove axle nut cover/cotter pin/axle nut.
2A) ADDED .. Remove sway bar end link from spindle, also brake line holder from spindle.
3) Undo lower ball joint (two 19mm bolts).
4) Once you have the ball joint undone, you can basically swing the whole caliper/rotor/spindle assembly out of the way, and push the axle out of the wheel hub.
5) Remove axle from diff.
6) Reassemble in reverse order.

I was expecting this to be much more involved process, but was pleasantly surprised. I held the spindle out of the way while my brother popped the axle out of the diff with no special tools. It took us ~25 minutes no joke from start to finish.

He had told me he had just done a replacement in a 4-runner and that these toyota's are some of the easiest to do the front axle in. I wanted to share this with you folks that have to replace just an axle. Saved me an hour of work easily.

EDIT: Missed a step. Added 2A. Just did this on the drivers side axle again. 25 minutes from tire off to tire back on.

 

subbed

 

got any pics? about to do both cv's and also do you have to get a alignment after replacing them?

 

sub'd, Just torn a boot.

 

Is it really that simple??. I have a torn inner boot on my driverside. I already have the new axle, i just havnt attempted doing it yet. I thought it was a little more involved than this

 

Wow, it's 2013 and you guys just barely figured out the "express" way of replacing an axle shaft?

Slacking guys.

 

Taking the balljoint off takes longer than takin off the two large bolts on the bottom of the spindle.

Way longer

Leave that upper bj alone. One less thing to duck up during the R&R.

 

I haven't done a cv axle replacement on a Tacoma yet, thats why I am glad to know this info.

 

So an alignment wont be needed after R&R?

 

No.

1 wheel
2 dust cap
3 axle nut
4 two lower bolt
5 Pop it out of the diff.
Repeat in reverse to install. Can R&R in about 20 minutes.

Have new one ready so you don't lose any gear oil.

 

Unless the axle won't come out. That's fun. Matt's was a BITCH.

 

The only issue I had was removing the damn axle from the diff. other then that it was as stated above. same steps etc..

 

I use a 5' pry bar. Easy

 

Subbed! I have a torn inner boot.

 

I took some pics of everything you need to take off in another thread

 

You dont need an alignment because you are not changing the geometry of the front end . If you remove Tie rod ends by unthreading them , you will need to have alignment checked but in this case you do not need to remove tie rods .
I would pay attention to how the ball joint is removed . It should be popped out of the control arm .
The idea to replacing an axle is to try and keep everything the same as it was before you took it apart
When removing the axle , you want the axle to be as straight as possible . Same goes for re-assembly . The straighter the axle is , the easier it will go into the diff

 

Torn drivers side need to do mine too. Def goin to do it this way instead of the other longer way

 

My boots are not torn but i have a axle seal leaking on the front, i might as well change the whole dame axle while its apart, thanks for the info.

 

interesting.

 

Why change the axle if there no problem?

That's kinda like changing the engine if there's nothing wrong with it