Half Shaft Replacement advice

[Dave G]

My wife's 94 4cylinder Camry needs both front axles replaced The Boots are practically gone. I figured I'd try to save $600 and do it myself this weekend (3 day weekend!). Memorial Day weekend working on a car! Sucks!

Anything in particular I should watch out for?

I am buying the axles from AutoZone.
I replaced the right axle on my 91 camry a few years ago. Wasn't fun but I really need to save the money right now.

Thanks in advance,

Dave

[Dave G]

OK, here's how it went, or didn't went.
I got the following loaner tools from AutoZone: torque wrench, 30mm deep socket, tie rod puller, breaker bar.

I wasn't sure if I needed the breaker bar but I got it just in case. Glad I did because my air impact wrench could not break the hub bolt loose.

I removed the three bolts from the control arm and separated it from the hub. That gave me enough room to try & remove the axle (passengers side). I then removed the lock bolt & locking ring. I pulled & pulled. I tried to pry it out with a pry bar, no luck. The axle wouldn't budge. I then broke out my slide hammer and tried that for about 10 minutes. No luck.

By the way it was over 90 degrees while I was doing this.

Ok, this wasn't working so I decided to put it back together and take it somewhere this week to have someone else do it. Simple enough, or so it sounded.

I couldn't get the hub to go back on the control arm (I was doing this all alone). After trying for about 45 minutes I then started to disassemble other parts to get the control arm attached. I disconnected the tie rod, then had to disconnect the strut. Finally got it all back together.

Spent the entire afternoon on this with no success.

[Brujo]

Did you check out the repair manual located at the top of the forum? It gives you a step by step guide on how to remove the axle. I only mention this since it sounds like you're missing something.

[Dave G]

Yes, I printed those instructions and used my Haynes manual. From reading some other posts I believe my main problem was that the center bearing was stuck.

Thanks

[97camryman]

I couldnt get the bearing out either so I just supported the motor and yanked out the whole engine mount with the axle still attached.

[marc780]

So Camryman, how did you get the bearing off after you did that part..?

[Novice_cardude]

I tried doing my right side half-shaft and ended up taking it to a shop and spending 120$ to get it done. My problem was that the center bearing had siezed in the bracket. I could have heated it up and really walloped it but there wasn't enough room under the car with it just on jack stands

I've done them like that at work, all you do is put a big prybar in there, wedge it where it's not gonna fall, then stand back and swing at the handle of the prybar with the heaviest hammer in the shop. Works every time, but you gotta have enough enough room to swing.

[97camryman]

Originally Posted by marc780

So Camryman, how did you get the bearing off after you did that part..?

I didnt, I just swapped transmissions and reused the old axles so I didnt need to remove the bearing but if I had too it would be much easier with it out of the car, put in vise and use sledgehammer or something lol !

[Dave G]

I tried the heating thing also. Got under the car and heated it with a torch. No luck.
If I can find somebody to do the labor for $120 I'll be very happy. The axles cost me $75 each.

The dealer wanted $732 to do both axles (inlcuding parts)

[Mike Gerber]

I feel your pain about the heat. Try to return the axles to Autozone and take the car to Pep Boys. I think they are about $200 per side for parts and labor for rebuilt axles. Call first and get a price over the phone.

Mike

[automaton]

If you can't find a place with reasonable labor and/or are still inclined to go the cheaper rather than easier route, here's another option you might consider: Take the whole schmear (axle, intermediate shaft, and bearing/bearing mount) out as a unit as '97 Camryman suggested, and if you still can't get the bearing to budge with it out from under the vehicle, get yourself a replacement bearing mount. Even buying one at full cost from a Toyota dealer probably wouldn't cost you nearly what the labor will, and there are mailorder places online that have better prices on oem parts. You also could possibly get one from a wrecking yard even cheaper. I ran into a very similar situation on a '99 Solara, rounded off one of the bearing mount bolts while trying to get it out (learn from my mistake and use a good offset box-end wrench on that tedious one) and had no choice but to split the bearing mount open with a Dremel so I could remove the axle and get to the rounded off bolt with vise-grips. I ended up buying a replacement bearing mount from a wrecking yard for about $40. I put a coating of grease inside the bearing pocket before putting the axle bearing in it--maybe if I have to get it out again, it'll be easier.

HTH;

automaton

[Dave G]

Great advice from everyone. Thanks. I ended up finding a place in the same industrial park as my work, just down the parking lot. They are going to do it for $224 labor. So, I paid $150 for the axles, $224 labor, $374 total. The dealer wanted $377 for just one side. Plus I have the AutoZone lifetime warranty.

I would have gone to PepBoys but there isn't one near me.

Thanks again everybody!

Dave

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by Dave G

Great advice from everyone. Thanks. I ended up finding a place in the same industrial park as my work, just down the parking lot. They are going to do it for $224 labor. So, I paid $150 for the axles, $224 labor, $374 total. The dealer wanted $377 for just one side. Plus I have the AutoZone lifetime warranty.

I would have gone to PepBoys but there isn't one near me.

Thanks again everybody!

Dave

Glad it worked out for you.

Mike

[Dave G]

It's not over yet!

I dropped it off at the shop this morning. He says it will definately be done today. He calls me around 2:30 and says he can't get the right axle out. The center bearing is seized in. He's be trying for the last hour. He's probably going to have to remove the motor mount. Won't be done today. I end up having to take the train home.

We'll, I don't feels so bad that I couldn't get it out. Hopefully it will be done tomorrow.

[StrutsNYC]

wowwwwwwwww ....i just did my right axle on my gen 3......i didnt do it i got it done at my shopi paid 100$ brand new part and labor