Changing CV shafts

xii · Post by **xii** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 1:45 pm

Hi guys

Im a technical newbie here in need of some help. Im trying to change the front cv shafts on my 92' L-series wagon and ive run into a lil problem.
I cant seem to get the control arm from the crossmember loose and off the wheel hub assembly. Ive tried using a dolly and hammer (and sledge hammer with some frustration) and it still doesnt budge.

Ive done this for 2wd drive cars before where the suspension is usually attached to the control arm and this provides some leverage and pushes the control arm down while u knock it loose. I notice my L's suspension is attached to the hub assembly and the only thing that might be helping to push the control arm down is the sway bar.

How do u guys get the hub loose?? any help will b useful thanxxx!

xii · Post by **xii** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 1:46 pm

oh and ive tried WD40 lubricant already... still doesnt budge... arhghh

Matatak · Post by **Matatak** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 2:24 pm

i do this at work a fair bit and if they are tight jsut need to wack harder with a nice Biiiiiiig hammer

i cant remember the setup for thse hubs but maybe undoing the driveshaft nut/hub nut wteva u call it then knocking that so its loose then taking the strut off the top and the steering off of it then swing it down and around and maybe the Dshafts will come out

but just need to wack away very hard if not

or wt about taking the roll pins outta the DOJ's and tryna take them off if theres enough room and leave the hub together

how much of the front shafts are u planning on changing both cvs or both boots or something

xii · Post by **xii** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 4:43 pm

Hey thanks for the tip. Im trying to replace both L n R drive shafts n joints. i decided to follow gregory's manual and detach the control arm from the crossmember completely. i changed the drive shafts but now i have another problem.. i cant get the control arm back into the crossmember. the nut hole jus wont get aligned...

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 4:32 am

As Matt says, a bigger mallet may just be required to separate the control arm from the hub. It sounds like your balljoints may be rusted in place so I'd say their condition probably warrants replacement anyway.

To make the control arm easier to manuever you may wish to undo the two bolts which hold the radius rod to the control arm.
This should also help in alligning the control arm bolt back into the engine crossmember.
Likewise with the sway bar - detatch it to allow more movement to get everything back in place.

For future reference.. I find it relatively easy to change the front shafts without the need to detatch the control arm from the hub.
Just detatch the bottom of the strut from the top of the hub....this allows the hub to "flop" outwards from the car which gives plenty of room to get the shaft out.

xii · Post by **xii** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 12:32 pm

thnx for the help guys. i managed to get it done by detaching the control arm from the crossmember. The problem was getting it in line to rettach it. But its been solved now by getting a huge rope loop aroudn the whole rig and twisting it tight haha.