Passenger-side Axle replacement DIY?

[sljorge]

Does any one know if there is a good DIY on replacing the passenger-side drive shaft (half axle) for a L4 A/T?

My CV joint boot is shot and I was gonna throw a quick-boot on it but it was $28 and a the whole right-side axle was only $60 with 2 new boots and lifetime warranty.

Thanks in advance,

-Grease-Splattered Wheel Well in AZ

[500KCamry]

1. Front end on jack stands so you can get under the car.
2. Right tire off
3. Right splash guard off - two bolts - 10mm socket
4. Remove wheel axle cotter pin, and wheel nut - can't remember 30mm deep socket?
5. Remove two nuts and one bolt that hold ball joint to lower control arm - 17 mm socket
6. Use a pry bar and push the control arm down so the ball joint bolts swing clear of the arm.
7. Now you have enough clearance to pull the axle out of the wheel bearing assembly.
8. Loosen the 12mm (or 14 mm?) bolt that locks the intermediate shaft steady bearing into its support (on the middle rear of the engine). This bolt doesn't have to come all the way off, but you must not use another bolt in its place ... the length is just enough to lock the bearing without damaging it.
9. With a pair of heavy needle nose pliers reach into the bearing via the steering tie rod end, compress the circlip holding the bearing in place into the bearing support, and pull it out of the housing. The bearing is now free to come out.
10. Working under the car reach up and see if you can pull the axle out of the transaxle by hand. Sometimes the inner shaft support bearing is stuck in its housing. The inner shaft is narrow in the middle and flares larger by the bearing. You can put a larger crescent wrench on the axle shaft, move it till its stopped by the flare on the axle shaft, and then strike it with a hammer towards the bearing. This will break the bearing fee of its support housing.
11. Do not let the bearing drop out of its support housing. Again grab the axle with you hands and release it taking care that the splines on the axle don't damage the axle seal on ikts way out of the transaxle housing.
12. Go backwards to install. Use a new cotter pin on the wheel axle nut. Replace the transaxle seal if it appear like its been leaking.

[bronzemaxell]

i remembered i had to loose the axle nuts first, let the front wheels on the ground, and my wife had to step on the brake real hard, to hold the front wheels from spinning, and i use a 6 ft fence pipe from home depot in additional 30mm socket with 1/2" drive.

until recently i bought the $179 dewalt electric impact gun, then i no longer have to do that.