I'm replacing the front axles on an 85 hatch, and I'm looking for the easiest way to do it. At this point, I have the roll pins driven out and the axle end nuts removed. I know I need to be able to swing the hubs outward so I have enough room to get the axles out and the new ones in.

 

It looks like the easiest thing would be to remove the nut at the bottom of the ball joint at the lower end of the strut, but I'm a little worried about damaging the rubber boot. :-\ Is that the way to go? Ideas about keeping the boot in one piece?

I'm replacing the front axles on an 85 hatch, and I'm looking for the easiest way to do it. At this point, I have the roll pins driven out and the axle end nuts removed. I know I need to be able to swing the hubs outward so I have enough room to get the axles out and the new ones in.

 

It looks like the easiest thing would be to remove the nut at the bottom of the ball joint at the lower end of the strut, but I'm a little worried about damaging the rubber boot. :-\ Is that the way to go? Ideas about keeping the boot in one piece?

 

undo the control arm bolt and the sway bar

Thanks!