Has any of you ever swapped out a CV joint(or drive axel)? I have to do this but was told that I would have to pull apart the ball joint.Does anyone who has done this know if that is true or can you just swap the cv joint? Any help would be appreciated? Cheers Elvis

 

Have done it many times on small cars, but never on a truck. I usually disconnect the strut from the knuckle, but more than likely, you will have to disconnect the lower ball joint.

I just looked in the service info, and GM seems to think that you can do it by getting the axle out through the hole in the lower control arm.

They say it goes like so:

Loosen axle nut, loosen flange bolts, press the axle out of the knuckle, and push the axle down through the lower control arm hole.

Installation is reverse of removal, but tighten the flange bolts to 58 ftlbs, and the axle nut to 177 ftlbs.

 

Nullhead I did the job and was super easy.Just take out the stabilizer link end for clearance and slide the cv thru it.Now I have to changew the hub assembly which I am doing today.That I think is going to be more difficult but I have a manual and will take my time.Those hub assenblies are sure expensive.I went with the SKF brand bearings not offshore.Thx for your info