Strut removal

'90 6000Le 127k miles. I need to replace the boot on the front axle. I'm going to have to remove the strut. I've never had to remove a strut before, any tips on doing this in a safe, effective matter would be appreciated. Thanks.

You dont have to remove the strut to remove the axle/change the boot. Just remove the nut which holds the shaft to the hub, then lower balljoint pinch bolt and pry the lower control arm down with a long bar levered against the subframe. The strut/knuckle can now be pulled far enough back to remove the axle from the hub. Now pop the axle out of the transaxle with a suitable pry bar and remove it from the vehicle.

So I can pull the axle out without disturbing or removing the strut? Thanks. Also, do you know if overdrive is considered a "speed" when it comes to a discription of the trans? I was looking at axles on Rock auto and they want to know if it's a 3 speed trans or 4 speed. I do have overdrive on this car. Thanks for the feed back.

If you have Overdrive it is considered a 4 speed transmission.

Thanks.