half-shaft help

[slayer5]

I have a 2000 chevy metro, automatic 4 cylinder. I need to change the front left half-shaft. At least I believe its the drivers side one. It clicks when I turn right. Anyhow, could I get step by step instructions as well as helpful hints on doing this job. Thanks...

[91Caprice9c1]

Alright well here's what I do:

1) Support car on jack stands
2) Drain tranny fluid
3) Remove wheel
4) Stick a hefty screwdriver in the brake rotor cooling fins and lock it up against the caliper mounting frame, then remove the 30mm axle nut. (Or use a pneumatic impact wrench if you've got one and skip the screwdriver business)
5) Remove brake caliper and ziptie it to the suspension spring and remove brake pads
6) Remove the 17mm strut to steering knuckle nuts and bolts
7) Swing the knuckle away from the car as you pull the axle out of the hub (may require a little persuasion with a soft faced hammer)
8) Use a well placed prybar to extract the axle from the tranny
9) Assembly is the opposite of disassmbly
10) This wouldn't be a bad time to change your trans filter and pan gasket. Otherwise just refill the trans with Dexron III.

NOTE: Take the time to properly torque the axle nut to 129ft.lbs. upon reassembly, this will keep your wheel bearing happy.

Get an alignment after you're work is completed.

-MechanicMatt

[Crvett69]

i usually just pull the lower nut and bolt out on lower control arm and push down on the arm then swing knuckle out to remove axle. also saves the price of a alignment when your done

[91Caprice9c1]

Hey, why didn't I think of that?

Thanks Crv.

-MechanicMatt