Replace front drive axle

Smiles · Jun 1, 2020

So we had our first mis-adventure with our 2012 Commander X this weekend when my two 15 year olds launched it over a rock pile and bent both tie rods and broke the left front drive axle. Had to drive it out, roughly 2 miles, before we could get it loaded on the trailer. I now have it up on jacks and pulling the tie rods off, but the front drive axle looks like it is going to be a lot tougher to change out. i have been reading different threads and I do not think i want to mess with the pressed ball joints. Some of the threads talk of removing the axle by loosening the front differential. As i was looking at the front end, it seems it would be a lot easier to just remove the A-frame bolts rather than remove the front differential. Has anyone tried changing out the front axle by removing the a-frame (I think they are also referred to as control arms)

Ordered the turnkey tie rods and sixty front axle.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

turbo392 · Jun 1, 2020

I remove the shock, tie rod bolt on the hub, axle nut and lower a arm bolts. All very easy, then I hold the hub and a arms up and out of the way with a ratchet strap. The upper a-arm will allow enough angle to pop the axle out from the hub, then just yank the other axle end from the differential.

Smiles · Jun 1, 2020

Ok, great. That was how I was thinking of attacking the problem. Thank you very much

Hammerhead800 · Jun 5, 2020

I found it easiest to drop the lower control arm from the knuckle joint and turn the steering all the way to the opposite side of what you were working on. They should give you enough room to get the shaft out of the hub

Smiles · Jun 5, 2020

Thanks. I ended up removing the lower A-arm and taking the shock off the upper and that allowed me plenty of room to remove the axle. I am now just waiting on parts in the mail to put it all back together.

Replace front drive axle

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