Help!!! I am trying to replace the drivers side drive axle on my '02 Escape. The old one will not come out. I have tried using a slip hammer with no success. Does it require a special tool?

 

Remove the rotor and brake caliper (hang the caliper from the coil spring with a piece of wire so it wont hang by the brake hose), the big nut on the axle shaft, unhook the lower ball joint, the tie rod end and the strut. The axle should pound right out. Be careful not to mushroom the end of the shaft or damage the threads with your hammer. I usually use a large brass drift punch and a big hammer. It helps to have an assistant hold the hub assembly out a little bit so that you dont damage the transmission or cv joints.

 

Thanks for your help, Dan. I have the axle out of the knuckle and it is hanging free. It is the inner end of the axle that will not come out of the transaxle. Any suggestions there?

 

when i did mine all i did was take a small pry bar and get between the tranny and the axle pushed a little and it popped out put a pan under the tranny as you will loose some fluid .

 

There is a retaining clip on the transmission end of the shaft that holds it in place. Like Rickfar says, just pry it a little. Be careful not to damage the seal on the transmission with your pry bar. If your replacing the shaft, its a non issue but if you need to use the shaft again, you should be careful not to over extend the cv joints as they can come apart inside the boot.

 

Thanks to both of you!