I need to replace the front axle on my BRAT.

 

Right now the RX is resting comfortably in the garage and I might have to do this on the street.

 

Can I do it w/o jacking up the car or does all pressure have to be off of the axle to remove it?

 

BW

The only way I could see doing it without a jacking it up would be to loosen the tranny and engine mounts and slide it over.

you generally have to disconnect the ball lower ball joint to swing the hub out. dont know any easyer way

That, or remove the two strut-to-knuckle 14mm bolts to swing the top out.

 

Either way Ive ever done it, that wheels gotta come off.

Only ways I can think of involve jacking up the car.

 

Since we're on a discussion of what we like to do, I like to unbolt the swaybar and the control arm pivot bolt. That allows the hub to swing out enough. Don't have to even remove the wheel for that.

Yeah, there is no [safe] way to do it without removing the wheel and detatching the strut from the lower control arm.

 

You could take a torch and cut the shaft (or a hacksaw but good luck with that). Then remove the tranny portion and drive the brat in 4WD (RWD).

 

-Brian

so basically what everyone is telling me is I have to got off of my lazy gluteous maximus and jack the BRAT up to get it done.

 

OK. Thanks

 

BW

I'm pretty sure the axle acts as the spindle.... If you take the axle out the rotor and wheel are just kind of floating I think. I looked at this once many years ago and would not recommend putting any weight on the wheels without the axle in there.

Should only take 20minutes to do.

 

Set Parking Brake

Remove Wheel

Remove 36mm castle nut

Remove Roll Pin

Remove ball joint cam bolt.

Pry Ball Joint from Steering Knuckle

Remove tranny side of CV

Beat CV from the rotor/hub assembly

Replace CV

Rinse & repeat.

 

-Brian

I'm pretty sure the axle acts as the spindle.... If you take the axle out the rotor and wheel are just kind of floating I think. I looked at this once many years ago and would not recommend putting any weight on the wheels without the axle in there.

 

he has a point, if you dont have the car jacked up, as soon as you remove the CV you would be crushed.

Should only take 20minutes to do.

 

-Brian

 

I say this everytime I start a project on my car.... Thanks to the fabulous rust belt I live in, it always takes 4 times as long and I always wind up replacing atleast one part that I break.....

the fabulous rust belt I live in, it always takes 4 times as long

 

 

The gas torch is your friend.

The gas torch is your friend.

 

Oh, I've got an Oxy/Accetal torch.... But that doesn't fix everything.

The gas torch is your friend.

 

Don't forget the BFH

he has a point, if you dont have the car jacked up, as soon as you remove the CV you would be crushed.

 

You wouldn't be crushed (I've towed a car with no front axles - the wheel is held on by the caliper and brakes), but you would never get the axle out as the car is being supported by the wheel which is attached to the rotor. The axle has downward pressure being applied to it through the knuckle and bearings, and upward pressure being applied through the wheel and rotor. The binding action between the two would never allow it to move.

 

GD

How about pulling the engine and trans, then theres enoug hroom to pull the axle out. Of cause you still have the problem of the wheel only being held on by your brake disc.....

Jack it up mate and put some wood blcoks under to support it while your working on her.

Appreciate all of the comments...

 

Moving tranny mounts and such to replace a busted axles is a bit of an over kill.

 

My main question was where this is possible w/o jacking up the vehicle. I have a one car garage and the RX is sitting in there all snug and warn. I live in an apartment so there is no place to work on it. I was trying to not have to lug my floor jack and jack stand into the street and work on it there.

 

Looks like I will have to either move the RX or go to a friend's house to do the axle.

 

Thank goodness for 4wd

 

bw