help with removing my front chunk

[bobbyt09]

do i just take the bolts out of the front an it should slide out an do i have to remove the radius arm to pull it off an is there any seals,bearings or anything like that i have to replace during this job...if some one could gie me step by step directions that would be great with pictures would be even better

 

[rhauf]

do i just take the bolts out of the front an it should slide out an do i have to remove the radius arm to pull it off an is there any seals,bearings or anything like that i have to replace during this job...if some one could gie me step by step directions that would be great with pictures would be even better

If you want to take out the front axle shafts, you will need to (in a nutshell) remove the brakes, remove the rotors, remove the spindles, and slide out the axles. you do not need to remove the radius arms. you will however have to remove the differential and undo the C clip to get the inner axle stub on the passenger side removed from the diff if you want to do that. you can look up all the procedures on here if you search enough, somebody will probably even have photos.

by the way, if the front end clunk you're describing happens when you step on the brakes, then you should just replace the radius arm bushings, they often get warn and clunk up and down when the torque of braking is applied. if it's a clunk that is when you apply the brakes going forwards, but wont do it again until you apply the brakes going backwards, then remove, clean, and tighten down the spindle (the nuts can get lose and the spindle can move around slightly). The axles have nothing to do with it (the axles are only used when 4x4 is engaged)

 

[bobbyt09]

so u have to take off the hubs an rotors an slidr axles out the aint no way around pullin all that out...cuz i cant figure out how to pull the hubs off i was told u need a special tool to do so

 

[alex211]

I took off the spindle nut with some channel locks, the only hard part is getting the locking pin out. A big magnet worked well for me.

 

[bobbyt09]

k thanks for the help

 

[rhauf]

take the tires off, and the hubs will fall right off. to get the wheel bearing nuts off, pull off the plastic auto hub parts around the lock nut, (there are two springs around it, etc) then use a magnet to pull out the locking pin, you may have to turn the lock nut slightly one way or another to relieve tension from the locking pin so that it slides out easily. once you do that you can unscrew the lock nut, then (provided you have removed the calipers) the rotor will slide off. be careful not to ruin the seal on the back when you slide it off/put it back on. after thats off, there a six 9/16" nuts that hold on the spindle, remove them and pull the spindle off (you may have to tap it on the side with a rubber mallet to get it loose.. do not use a hammer, rubber mallet only) once it's off the axle should pull out. but remember on the passenger side there is an added step, which is to remove the whole pumpkin IF you need to get the inner stub shaft out of the pumpkin (its held in with an internal c clip)

if you're still not sure what to do, i suggest buying a chiltons or whatever those books are which tell you the steps and have pictures etc. they can be really nice.

 

[bobbyt09]

ok thanks the info was really helpful