Removing front axel spindle

[ProtonPusher]

Help. I am trying to remove the front axel spindle on a 94 4X4 Mazda Navajo, but two problems have come up. First, I have removed the bolts from the spindle, but it will not budge. I have tried whacking it with a rubber mallet, but it still won’t budge. I admit I have not used full force with the mallet since I don’t want to damage the spindle. Is this just a case of I need a bigger hammer, or is there a better way to get the spindle off?

Second, even if the spindle loosens up, the is an ABS sensor over the lip of the spindle that will block its complete removal. The sensor passes through the steering knuckle, and I have removed a bolt from the back of the sensor, but it still won’t budge. Any thoughts how to remove this sensor?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Roger
94 Mazda Navajo 4x4

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

There is a second bolt on there it has a very small head on it and it is a 12point bolt. It is easy to strip. once you get this bolt off take a peice of wood and hit the wood with a hammer to nock the spindel off... Ones you get it lose to see space betweent eh knucle and the spindel you can chisle it off. Becareful dont damage the ABS sensor. They are hard to get off with out having to replaceing it.

 

[Mark R]

When doing a bearing grease job I had lots of trouble on the passenger side spindle. Drivers side came off with a couple good wacks with a rubber mallet. On the passengers side I even ended up pushing all the studs out so the spindle couldn't bind on them. Lots of WD-40 and some hard bangs with the mallet and it eventually came off. Remember to smear grease on the contact patch between the spindle and the part it bolts too, so if you ever have to do this again it won't rust together.

Mine is a '92 so I didn't have the sensor.

 

[ProtonPusher]

not finding last bolt

Went out and looked for the 12 pt. bolt and did not see it. My count is 5 nuts for the spindle and one bolt from the back of the ABS sensor (engine side). Everything still firmly lodged in place despite moderately agressive pounding/prying. There is a threaded hole on the front of each sensor, but no bolt in it.

I just found some free play in the lower left ball joint so I am going to replace ball joints today. Are there any problems just bypassing removing the spindle and going straight for the whole steering knuckle? The original point of this exercise was to replace the oil seals in the front differential so I need to remove the front axel shafts. (My lifetime goal is to own a leak free vehicle)

Cheers!

Roger

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

That hole on the sensor is were the bolt is but it is on the back side. Since I was just removing the sensor all together I used a hack saw and cut it out but the bolt is there and is it very small...

 

[ProtonPusher]

Found the last bolt. Its hidden on the back of the knuckle next to the ABS sensor. Seems kind of obvious now. Thanks for the help.

Roger

 

[MFergy]

Glad to here you found the last bolt. If you still have trouble consider my aproach, I had to use a chisel and buy a larger hammer. I didn't hit it harder just more, with a larger hammer, and eventually it came off. Good luck, remember patience is a virtue! It took me about 40 minutes with a small hammer to no avail and 5 minutes with the new one.

[Edited by MFergy on 06-07-2000 at 08:06 AM]