Removal of half axle

I'm in the process of removing the half axle on the front right side of my car. So far I got the wheel off, the axle nut off, and I punched out the spring pin. Now I'm not sure which bolts I should take off from the hub. I'm afraid I might miss up the alignment if I unscrew the wrong bolts.

[lee]

On the lower A-arm, there are three bolts (17mm I think) that are in a roughly triangular config. Take these three out and you can pull out on the hub to get enough clearance to pull the axle off the transmission. Then pull it out of the hub. Reverse to install. No impact to alignment. This is a trick I picked up from a Beav post & how I got the axles loose to do a tranny replacement ( haven't yet done the axles myself).

[Earthworm]

Why not just remove the one bolt holding the ball joint in place instead of the other 3?

[Beav]

It's a matter of choice. I recommended the three nut method because many feel it imperative to use a pickle fork, thereby destroying the rubber boot and resulting in loss of grease and entry of debris.

On most cars I do the stud nut (but I don't use a pickle fork), on the SVX I normally use the three bolts, mainly because I can use an air wrench more quickly. Time is money...

Immortal_suby and I did both my front axles in about 3 hours... as said above, just drop those three bolts and prepare to swear a lot trying to get the axles to clear the hub easily as you put it all back together!

I'm forever indebted to Matt for his services on that install... I still owe you dinner, man! Let's get together soon!

[immortal_suby]

Forget about it, just install a supercharger in my svx sometime and we'll call it even.

We do need to get together for a beer soon - I see some nasioc guys are planning a hooters meet

Tonight? I'm temporarily unemployed as of today and I could use a beer.

[Earthworm]

My dad somehow managed to change both axles in about 45 mins. I only helped by holding the rotor to the side while he installed and lined up the axles.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I decided to disconnect the ball joint from the steering knuckle since the 3 nuts on the control arm would not budge. I managed to get the axle out without breaking anything so I'm happy. Only bad thing is that my new axle hasn't arrived yet. Hopefully early next week I'll have my SVX back on the road.

[Earthworm]

That's so you'll be able to go to Reading right?

[Chicane]

I have a question about this. I read this specific thread when I was doing my front axles, and was excited about just taking out 3 bolts for the A arm and just swinging the hub out of the way... but... uh.... how the HELL does one do such a thing? I took off the 3 nuts on those 3 bolts, but you can't remove the bolts! I could get ONE out, but the other two would just run right into the joint between the hub and the control arm. And.... judging by the fact that I know two pieces of matter cannot occupy the same place at the same time, I want to know how you guys did it. :|

- Rob

[wawazat??]

but I did the same thing when removing mine for the swap. Took some cussing and pulling, but I got them out so know the procedure works.

Todd

[mohrds]

Turn the steering wheel lock to lock. At some point during the process, each of the bolts will have clearance.

Doug

[mile-hi-bri]

I'm doing the same project this weekend. Does anybody know the size socket needed to remove/install the AXLE nut?
I know the torque value for install, but first things first.
Thanks, Brian

[Chicane]

Your new axles should come with new nuts. Mine did anyway, and mine were cheap. Lifetime warranty though. Woot.

- Rob