02 auto axle removal question

1979cordoba · Post by **1979cordoba** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 2:37 pm

i'm about to replace the axle shaft seals and i wanted to know if i have to remove the lower control arm to get the axle out or if i can remove it leaving the lower control arm in?

Hudson_Neon · Post by **Hudson_Neon** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 3:26 pm

no, you don't have to remove it. you just need to separate it from the knuckle by separating the ball joint. that way you can swing the knuckle out to remove the axles.

1979cordoba · Post by **1979cordoba** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:47 pm

i just got done working on it, i took out the lower control arm,tie rod end, and sway bar link,like a idiot i tried to get the axle out first without taking the sway bar link out and i punctured the outer boot, i'm going to take the axle to a friend of mine tomorrow and see if he can replace the outer boot, a guy i used to know was able to do it without breaking the joint, whenever i try it i break it, hopefully he can fix the axle right, I got both seals in and once i get the axle back it should go back together quite easy.

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:17 pm

Yes they sell repair boots.

Anytime you need to remove the ball joint stud from the knuckle, life is better when you take both sides loose from the sway and swing it down. Even then, depending on the LCA bushings, it can be a PITA to get the LCA low enough.

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 1:48 pm

All u had to do was take off the caliper, remove knuckle from stru clevis, and balljoinf and swing it out of the way after removing the center nut

Gnuserup · Post by **Gnuserup** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:38 pm

viewtopic.php?t=58485

1979cordoba · Post by **1979cordoba** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 5:18 pm

well i got it all back together but the axle i got from the parts store had a very rough seal area, i sanded it down just a little, i hope it deosn't ruin the new seal.only time will tell, even when i screw up and forget how to take something apart on these neons it still doesn't bother me all that much,i love these cars, up here in maine i'm about the only one around who likes them,gas here is 415 a gallon it wont take long for my newly aquired neon to pay for itself.

Gnuserup · Post by **Gnuserup** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 2:51 am

Makes me jealous - we actually pay 1,69 €/l - must be something like double than you have to pay.

Hudson_Neon · Post by **Hudson_Neon** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 1:56 pm

i just did the math... that's like us paying $8.45/gallon!!!