Pathfinder WD21 front axle removal

SkyFive · Nov 10th, 2007, 06:27 PM

I'm changing CV boots on my 1995 Pathfinder SE 4WD and I discovered a couple of time and work savers that I wanted to pass along. This may be common knowledge so if I'm preaching to choir, forgive.
I have the factory service manual for this vehicle and I usually try to follow it to the letter. In the case of the front axle removal it says to remove the entire spindle/hub at the ball joints and also to take the tie rod loose. The diagram shows the hub/spindle/axle in a vise after removal. I started by trying to take the tie rod loose. It was tighter than dick's hat band and I could not get it free even with a puller. Ok, I'll trying the ball joints..same thing, I couldn't get them loose without risk of damage and I'm not planning on replacing them. At this point I've been working for two hours and I've made no progress. I decide to take the upper ball joint loose from the mounting to the upper control arm by removing four (M14?) bolts. That was easy! Then I remove the shock absorber, take the brake caliper loose and hang it out of the way secured by a wire. The spindle now swings forward and down with the lower ball joint still attached. I removed the auto hub and axle snap ring earlier so the drive end of the axle is free. After removing the six bolts at the final drive the axle comes out no problem. CV boot replacement is another story but, I completed the job in half the time had I taken the upper and/or lower ball joints loose at the spindle and I loathe taking ball joints and tie rods loose. Hope this helps someone.

**88pathoffroad** · Nov 11th, 2007, 05:29 PM

Thanks for the write-up. That's exactly how I do mine too, but you actually don't have to remove the brakes it'll be fine as long as you don't let the knuckle drop forward and pull on the brake hose. Taking them off is the safest way to avoid accidental damage, though.