How to: Front hub, cv axle replacement

[OneofFew]

Removing the hubs: With the wheel off- Remove the brake caliper with a torx bit, the caliper mount, remove cap on the hub with a chisel (you may have to start with a scraper), remove 36mm axle nut, remove axle bolts on the diff (15mm), remove lower shock mount bolt (you will need to jack up the lca to get tension off that bolt), remove axle off the diff end, then bump the axle through the hub with a hammer, use 15mm socket to remove 3 hub mounting bolts and strike the hub with a hammer to start separating it off the hub assembly, using a chisel helps get the hub out. The bolts are supposed to be replaced, so tapping on them to help move the hub out of its nest may do it for you also. The get the new hub in, clean the contact surfaces, grease and use the new bolts to draw it in evenly.

 

[MINIz guy]

Another way instead of using a chisel on the knuckle is to rent a hub puller/slide hammer kit from your local auto parts store. Took less than 10 minutes to get the hub out at the cost of 2 lug nuts that got deformed due to the power I put on the slider hammer. FYI, only remove the axle if you're placing it, it doesn't need to come out for just the hub.

 

[OneofFew]

Removing the axle made it a whole lot easier to access the hub bolts without risking damage to the axle boot.