"Moving" the front drive axles WITHOUT removing them.

[aaronllewellyn]

I'm removing the transmission on my 1991 legacy ss, AWD is there a way I can remove the axles from the differential without removing the drive axle nut. can it be done just by knocking out the spring pin on the differential side and pulling out the shafts? or do you HAVE to remove the axle nut. (I'm reading my haynes and I assume removing the axle nut only applies when completely removing the drive axles.

[SILINC3R]

you can but you will must likely need to remove the control arm (lower ball joint) from the hub otherwise it wont work.

[James614]

The proper way to remove the axle from the front differ is to seperate the ball joint and knuckle. Then you will have plenty of room to remove it without risking damage to the bearings or needing a new axle nut. Remember that you don't need a pickle fork to seperate the ball joint, there's space to use a pry bar without damaging the boot. Mine actually falls out by beating with a rubber mallet.

FYI on the rear you can do the same by removing the lower bolt that holds the lateral links to the hub.

Some manuals suggest removing the strut bolts, but this is dumb as you loose your alignment and its more work than the ball joint.

[aaronllewellyn]

The proper way to remove the axle from the front differ is to seperate the ball joint and knuckle. Then you will have plenty of room to remove it without risking damage to the bearings or needing a new axle nut. Remember that you don't need a pickle fork to seperate the ball joint, there's space to use a pry bar without damaging the boot. Mine actually falls out by beating with a rubber mallet.

FYI on the rear you can do the same by removing the lower bolt that holds the lateral links to the hub.

Some manuals suggest removing the strut bolts, but this is dumb as you loose your alignment and its more work than the ball joint.

Thanks! figured there had to be a way to get enough room to pull them without completely removing the shaft

[Legacy777]

I remove the front bolt on the lower control arm and the anti-sway bar mount. I do this vs. the spindle so I don't risk damaging the ball joint. Either way works.

[aaronllewellyn]

I remove the front bolt on the lower control arm and the anti-sway bar mount. I do this vs. the spindle so I don't risk damaging the ball joint. Either way works.

I just removed the front ball joints from the sockets and sway bar bolt on the control arm and tapped them both out, then you can easily swivel it out.

Thanks guys!