drive axle

[mazdamx-6ls]

planning on replacing my drive axle on my 99 Saturn sl2. before i remove everything do u guys know what size socket i need to take off the drive axle hub nut?
and what type of wrench i would need?
thanks help is appreciated.

[sierrap615]

its a 30mm socket you need, and a impact gun or a long breaker bar(may even need a cheater bar too). the bolt is torqued to ether 148 or 159 ft-lbs (not sure which)

[denisond3]

If you dont have a large impact driver, you can use a good breaker bar with a 30 MM 3/4" drive socket, and a 3' length of water pipe slid over the breaker bar. This lets you get your weight on the pipe about 4 ft out from the hub nut. I always loosen the hub nuts with the tire sitting on the ground, the car in park, and the handbrake one. You may need to remove the wheel first to get access to the hub nut under a wheel cover - but bolt the wheel back onto the car, lower the cars weight onto it; then you can jump on the end of your pipe-extension to the breaker bar. I dont know what inch size socket is equivalent to 30 mm, but a 1-3/16th socket might also fit. For high torque things like hub nuts, I prefer to use a socket that was a 6 point type, not a 12 point type, and I get the kind meant for use with an impact driver. Indestructible!