axle shafts-YAY!

[tomsteve]

i was huntin down a wire problem with the ABS on my 08. beings how the lights come on periodically, the hubs arent too old, and it seems common for the problem to be up front, i started with the left front and there it was, the ring of grease in the wheel well.
36 years of driving and this will be the first pair of axle shafts i replace. good timing- trans fluid change is a little over due,too!
im lookin at NAPA remans. are there certain ones to stay away from-other than detroit axle?

 

[BillBoost37]

Napa would be great ones. Technically you don't have to drain the trans to do them. Just jack up the side you are replacing by itself and the majority of fluid would be at the other end.

 

[Slick2500]

Yup what bill said, doing one side at a time like this you might have a little bit dribble out but not a lot maybe a few tablespoons.

 

[tomsteve]

yeah i probably dont have to do the trans fluid/filter. tranny has about 20k on a rebuild

 

[digitalgpbandit]

I'm still running the factory original axle shafts in my GP believe it or not lol, but I will say definitely go with the NAPA ones. I've used them in my Grand Am & my first Fusion. I would also replace the axle seals while your in there too

 

[BillBoost37]

I could see doing the seals if they was a groove cut into the shaft where it seals. Typically I wouldn't do the seals unless they are leaking. While it would be a best practice to replace both at the same time, it's not typical for them to start leaking after a replacement of the axle without having been hit or nicked during the install.

 

[digitalgpbandit]

You are right, I'm only thinking age wise. He's a 2008 so its 12 years old already

 

[tomsteve]

You are right, I'm only thinking age wise. He's a 2008 so its 12 years old already

rebuilt trans last year,though.
although i might have a set handy. ive never replaced axle shafts. done ujoints a time or 25 but havent ever touched axkle shafts

 

[BillBoost37]

It's pretty straight forward
http://www.grandprixforums.com/how-...ow-to-remove-an-axle.html?highlight=easy+axle

Best piece of advice is to push the axle toward the trans before you try to pop it out, and tap or pry quickly on the back of the inner cup that goes into the trans. The reason for this is the compression ring on the axle inside the trans needs a little bit of wiggle room to compress and release. If you pulled on the axle that ring would be against the edge engaging the ring and you will have one heck of a fight on your hands.

 

[tomsteve]

It's pretty straight forward
http://www.grandprixforums.com/how-...ow-to-remove-an-axle.html?highlight=easy+axle

Best piece of advice is to push the axle toward the trans before you try to pop it out, and tap or pry quickly on the back of the inner cup that goes into the trans. The reason for this is the compression ring on the axle inside the trans needs a little bit of wiggle room to compress and release. If you pulled on the axle that ring would be against the edge engaging the ring and you will have one heck of a fight on your hands.

thanks for that! i think thats the first link to the how-to section that didnt come up "server error" for me.
shafts are ordered and be here tomorrow(napa) but gonna be a bit before i can get em done. going into the 90s for the next couple days. i dont do driveway mechanicing in them temps any more.