- Engage your car's emergency brake to keep it from rolling. To further prevent rolling, park on ground as close to level as is possible. Use a tire iron to loosen the wheel's lug nuts. Just slightly loosen the nuts, keeping them firm against the wheel. Place your car on a jack to lift the side with the bad axle. After you've lifted the car on the jack and blocked the opposite wheel with a brick or similar object, remove the wheel. When you disconnect the stabilizer bar from the suspension arm, leave enough movement room to remove the ball joint from the steering knuckle. Remove the steering knuckle from the transaxle. By now, the CV axle should be accessible. Pull it out by exerting even force. Don't try to twist the axle out; instead, use a pry bar.
- Always have the proper tools on hand before you start work on your vehicle. AA1 Car recommends adding cement blocks to support your car. Never rely entirely on your jack. Never try to work on your car when you're tired or unfocused, and never smoke when near the fuel lines leading to the drive shaft. Also, have someone watching while you work, in case you need emergency help if your jack slips. Allow the car to sit for an hour before you start to work; the grease that lubricates your CV axle gets extremely hot and can burn you if you don't allow it time to cool.
