1998 Eddie Bauer limited CV axel &frustrated

[Roxi]

Hi . I am in the starting phase I guess of removing my CV axel... I've gotten out the CV bolt but I can't get the caliper of the wheel...I practically stripped the only bolt left .. what am I doing wrong ?? Do I have to remove this caliper to lift this off ?? Can't I just pull up and it should come out... ?? Omg I'm so frustrated !!

 

[koda2000]

If you were just trying to remove the caliper, there are just 2 small (13 mm headed) bolts that have to be removed. The caliper may be stuck on the rotor, but you should be able to pry it off with a large screwdriver or pry bar. However, if you are trying to get the rotor off you also need to remove the caliper mounting bracket. With the caliper out of your way, there are 2 large bolts that hold the mounting bracket to the back of the steering knuckle. These bolt are usually super tight and require a 1/2 breaker bar (or impact wrench) to get them out.

IIRC, You can also release the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle to get it out of your way so that you can remove the CV axle.

 

[MrQ]

Just take the two 15mm bolts off the caliper bracket to knuckle and don't worry about removing the caliper from the bracket. You may have to use a screw driver to push the brake pads apart to get the whole assembly off the rotor.

 

[410Fortune]

I've gotten out the CV bolt but I can't get the caliper of the wheel.

So you have removed the large 28 or 32mm cv axle nut?
Well done

Do like these guys said, two 15mm bolts to unbolt the caliper from the knuckle. Use a small pry bar of big screwdriver to pry the caliper open slightly so it will come off the brake rotor...
Now you need to remove the pinch bolt on the upper ball joint, release the 8mm bolt holding the wheel speed sensor wire to the knuckle, smack the upper control arm until the upper ball joint comes free of the knuckle. With this done you can now turn your steering wheel all the way to the other side (opp of side your working on) and you can pull the CV axle out of the wheel bearing.
After this you just need a small pry bar to go under the cv axle at the front diff and pry it out of the differential.......the pry bar is to help you defeat the cir clip that retains the cv axle to the diff

When pulling the cv axle out of the diff make sure you support it, letting it hang on the way out and the new one back in is how we ***** up the inner axle seals. Give it some support and you an save your seals.

Hope this makes sense......you can do it!
FYI final torque on the CV axle nut is 160-210 ft lbs make sure you get this right or the wheel bearing can suffer

 

[koda2000]

So you have removed the large 28 or 32mm cv axle nut?
Well done

Do like these guys said, two 15mm bolts to unbolt the caliper from the knuckle. Use a small pry bar of big screwdriver to pry the caliper open slightly so it will come off the brake rotor...
Now you need to remove the pinch bolt on the upper ball joint, release the 8mm bolt holding the wheel speed sensor wire to the knuckle, smack the upper control arm until the upper ball joint comes free of the knuckle. With this done you can now turn your steering wheel all the way to the other side (opp of side your working on) and you can pull the CV axle out of the wheel bearing.
After this you just need a small pry bar to go under the cv axle at the front diff and pry it out of the differential.......the pry bar is to help you defeat the cir clip that retains the cv axle to the diff

When pulling the cv axle out of the diff make sure you support it, letting it hang on the way out and the new one back in is how we ***** up the inner axle seals. Give it some support and you an save your seals.

Hope this makes sense......you can do it!
FYI final torque on the CV axle nut is 160-210 ft lbs make sure you get this right or the wheel bearing can suffer

Good tip about removing the bolt for the ABS sensor wires, but don't break the bolt off. Better to just unplug the sensor if the bolt doesn't want to come out.

Note: If removing the upper BJ's pinch bolt on the knuckle doesn't release the ball joint, you can tap a screwdriver or small chisel into the pinch point's split to help release it. A little penetrant spray would also be helpful.