AWD front axle cover
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Joined: Apr 2000
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AWD front axle cover
I've got a '95 with the electronic 4WD. Anybody know if you can remove the front axle cover without having to remove the axle? At first glance, it looks impossible. I can barely fit my fingers between the axle cover and the frame member in front of it and I've got skinny fingers. The cover has a minor leak but if I have to remove the axle, I'll think twice about it.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
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AWD front axle cover
I was crawling around under mine the other day contemplating removal of the front differential for a rebuild. Looked to me like you can just unbolt the half-shafts on either side and the front driveshaft, then just drop the whole pumpkin out. Getting those bolts off your cover plate is one thing, getting them back in is usually a whole different story. You can gain a little more room by detaching the upper support bolt and also removing the support block the diff would then sit upon. If you can do this without removing the diff, you should have been a surgeon. LOL!
New User
Joined: May 2001
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AWD front axle cover
My advice on this is to take the front axle out. It only takes about 15-20 minutes to get out and will be alot easier to work on. Some other things to check while you have it out is:
1
Outer axle seals
2CV-boots and joints
3Axle mount bushings
My outer axle seals went around 112,000 miles. I changed those and about 2 weeks later the C-V boot on the passenger side busted. I also noticed a broken mount bushing on the passenger side and changed it while I had it down. It might seem like a bit to remove the whole pumpkin, but it is worth not fighting for hours to avoid doing something that only takes 15-20 minutes to remove. If you're thinking of replacing the CV joints or boots, now is the perfect time. With the pumpkin out, you can remove the CV joints without disconnecting the control arms and ball studs so it wont mess with the alignment.
Good luck!
Brett
1
Outer axle seals2
CV-boots and joints3
Axle mount bushingsMy outer axle seals went around 112,000 miles. I changed those and about 2 weeks later the C-V boot on the passenger side busted. I also noticed a broken mount bushing on the passenger side and changed it while I had it down. It might seem like a bit to remove the whole pumpkin, but it is worth not fighting for hours to avoid doing something that only takes 15-20 minutes to remove. If you're thinking of replacing the CV joints or boots, now is the perfect time. With the pumpkin out, you can remove the CV joints without disconnecting the control arms and ball studs so it wont mess with the alignment.
Good luck!
Brett
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Joined: Apr 2001
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AWD front axle cover
Brett, good point about replacing CV shafts at same time and avoiding the extra labor/alignment that would be involved. My diff has some bearing/shaft wear and with 193k, the CV shafts certainly should, but they have been amazingly quiet and trouble free thus far. Since they are almost double their life expectancy, I've gotten my money's worth out of them and guess now is the time to replace. KA-CHING! More money.
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Posting Guru
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From: PNW
AWD front axle cover
Thanks for the tips. If I drop the axle, I was planning on doing the seals. I've already changed the CV joints as the boots went out on both sides before about 75K. (But I didn't have to take any of the suspension apart, so no need for alignment.) Everybody else seems to get more mileage out of their CV joints.
Does it really only take 15-20 minutes to remove the front axle? It'll probably take me two hours. And how heavy is it?
Does it really only take 15-20 minutes to remove the front axle? It'll probably take me two hours. And how heavy is it?
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
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AWD front axle cover
I'm with you, Mikeman. Takes me 30 minutes just to change my oil. Actual labor is probably 20 minutes but then you spend 2 hours chasing all over town looking for a 12mm 12pt 1/2" socket 'cause you broke yours on the first bolt, 15 minutes crawling in and out because you need different extensions, etc., etc.... And you know darn well that thing will weigh 60 pounds coming out-and 600 pounds going back in. That means another hour spent rigging your scissor jack to a skateboard in lieu of a proper transmission jack. Better count on an entire weekend.
