The procedure for doing front CV half shafts on the 96+ vans is a little more involved than the 90 to 96.
1. Jack up van and support on jack stands.
2. Remove front wheel/tire.
3. Remove the axle shaft nut (36 mm).
4. Pop off the upper ball joint. (has to be done)
5. Remove the splined end of the cv shaft from the hub bearing. (use a dead blow hammer or leave the nut on so you don't damage the threads)
6. With a hammer and drift, knock the cv shaft out of the diff. It should "pop" out as it is held in with a circlip around the axle shaft inside the housing or axle tube. You can hit the big metal knuckle that is right near the diff.
7. If the axle shaft comes out with the cv shaft, put it back in now and inspect the circlips on both ends first.
Installation is the reverse procedure.
Oh yeah it IS HOT here!
![maniac laugh :muhaha:](./images/smilies/smiley_aahi.gif)
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy