2002 Eldorado ESC front axles

[phildeville@cox.net]

I am looking for instructions to R & R both front axles.  Torque spec's & any tips or special tools required would be appreciated.
Thank You,
Phil Terry # 15270
602-840-4308 P/F
phildeville@q.com

[76eldo]

Phil,

Get a shop manual.  I don't think I have any that new, but I have tons from the 80's and 90's

I have done axles on my 76 and 80's Eldos, really not sure about anything that new.

If you get some prices on having it done, you might not be saving that much doing it yourself, and if you don't have access to a lift, it's a really tough job.

Brian

[Dave Shepherd]

Agreed, not knowing you mechanical ability and tools available, you may need an impact gun to ger the nut off the axles, , the tie rod end can be tough to off at times, I also believe the lower ball joint may have to be seperated for the axle the clear the knuckle.

[Bob Steur]

Phil, I have replaced axles on my 94 Concours on a Saturday morning in my driveway, no special tools. Your Eldorado should be similar.
Agree you should get a manual, or at least go to a site like autozone.com and get the online repair guide. It will have the torque specs.

Tip number one is to loosen the axle nut before jacking up the car. Tip number two, what I did, your mileage may vary, I didn't want to mess with ball joints and risk damaging the grease boots on them so I removed the steering knuckle at the strut, by removing the two strut bolts, AFTER CAREFULLY MARKING THEIR POSITION with a scribe. This is not the method recommended in the manual but it worked for me.

The outside end of the axle should easily slide out of the hub/bearing. Getting it off the transmission end may require a little more persuasion. You want to be careful not to damage the aluminum trans case. You can use a pry bar if you support it with a wide enough wooden block to spread the load. Unlike some other cars there are no pins holding them on they simply slide out on the splines.

Assembly is the reverse of removal as they always say. If you have any qualms about doing this you're better to pay someone to do it, it can't be that expensive. Axles themselves are cheap, AZ had em' for about 60 bucks rebuilt. Good luck!

[phildeville@cox.net]

Thanks for your ideas, gentleman.   I bought 2 brand new aftermarket ass'ys for $49.95 each from my regular supplier.  Probably tackle the project Thanksgiving weekend.
Thanks again,
Phil