Replacing axles on '93 Caravan, any advice?
#1190820
03/04/12 10:15 AM
03/04/12 10:15 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,841 Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar
OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
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OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,841
Between Houston & Galveston TX
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The patient; 1993 Caravan with the 2.5 and 3 spd auto transaxle. The left side axle gave up last week. Has the tell-tale clicking sound whenever making a turn. Thanks to a member who posted a discount code for Advanced Auto, I can get both axles for less than $100 (new axles, not rebuilts), so, I figured I'd replace both. The van has almost 110K on it. I've never replaced an axle before on a FWD. Heck, this is the first FWD I've owned. I've read the manual, I've watched several videos on youtube, it seems pretty straight forward. Any sage words of advice from those that have does this before? Short cuts, things to look out for, etc, etc? Thanks!
John
The dream is dead, long live the dream.......😥
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Re: Replacing axles on '93 Caravan, any advice?
[Re: SattyNoCar]
#1190821
03/04/12 11:11 AM
03/04/12 11:11 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,759 North Dakota
6PakBee
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,759
North Dakota
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First thing do not forget to pull the speed sensor out of the trans. Pulling the right side driveshaft is a female dog if you forget. Secondly disconnect the sway bar from both lower control arms. If you don't, it's a real problem to get the lower control arm dropped down enough to get the ball joint to separate. Oh, make sure you have a pan under the transmission when you pull the driveshafts and don't screw up the oil seals in the transaxle when you pull the driveshafts.
"We live in a time when intelligent people are being silenced so that stupid people won't be offended".
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Re: Replacing axles on '93 Caravan, any advice?
[Re: SattyNoCar]
#1190823
03/04/12 02:16 PM
03/04/12 02:16 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,841 Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar
OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
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OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,841
Between Houston & Galveston TX
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Dang. Looks like the van has stronger nuts than me. I soaked the axle nuts in PB Blaster overnight. I know I don't have the strongest impact gun, but, gave it a try......nothing. Got after it with my quality craftsman 1/2" breaker bar and a length of pipe, sheared the end of the breaker bar off. So much for saving money. I'm either going to have to buy a stronger impact, or, find a shop that will bust 'em loose for me.
John
The dream is dead, long live the dream.......😥
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Re: Replacing axles on '93 Caravan, any advice?
[Re: SattyNoCar]
#1190824
03/04/12 02:51 PM
03/04/12 02:51 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 654 MN
astrobuf
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 654
MN
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I've never done a Caravan Axle, but usually, there is a bent over bit of the axle nut that nests in a slot in the axle stub. Did you pry this up?
There is no substitute for real tools. If you have a no-name impact, pitch it. I have an IR Titanium 1/2" and it has never failed me.
Finally, perhaps a 3/4 drive Harbor Freight breaker bar is what you need here. Check the torque spec's on these nuts, but other cars that I've done typically spec the torque at 300ft-lbs, so this is heavy duty work.
Astrobuf
So, are you really a Rocket Scientist?
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Re: Replacing axles on '93 Caravan, any advice?
[Re: 135sohc]
#1190829
03/06/12 01:09 AM
03/06/12 01:09 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,841 Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar
OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
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OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,841
Between Houston & Galveston TX
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Appreciate the further comments, none are too late at this point. I tore down the left side Sunday, forgetting about an 'invitation' my Wife suckered me into, so I didn't finish.... Today I knew I had an eye exam after work, but, didn't take into consideration my eyes being dilated (I couldn't see)....so I didn't even touch the van today. How long should an axle swap take? Anyway......should there be any resistance when pulling the axle out of the trans? I swung the knuckle out of the way, not paying attention to the axle because I wasn't expecting it to go anywhere, and it just fell out! Almost landed in my lap! I hope the pass side is just as easy. I've GOT to finish tomorrow as we're supposed to get rain starting Wednesday. Thanks for the replies, they're appreciated! As a laugh, here's a pic of my 'home made' tool for busting loose the axle nuts. Take one heavy construction bar, one pipe wrench, a couple of muffler clamps, and a cheap socket that doesn't matter if it gets tore up and voila'! A proper impact would have been nice, but, I just don't have the $$$ for one, especially for how little I would end up using it.
John
The dream is dead, long live the dream.......😥
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Re: Replacing axles on '93 Caravan, any advice?
[Re: SattyNoCar]
#1190830
03/12/12 11:29 PM
03/12/12 11:29 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,841 Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar
OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
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OP
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,841
Between Houston & Galveston TX
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Between other commitments and the weather, the passenger side got put off until today. WOW! What a difference one week and the opposite side makes! On the drivers side, EVERYTHING fought me. Between lack of proper tools and never having done this before, it took me altogether close to eight hrs. As difficult as the drivers side was, the passenger side was EASY. Took me just over AN HOUR to swap axles. I think part of the problem too with the drivers side was that this thing has been wrecked on the drivers side. Any parts swapping done, stuff was just 'slammed home' rather than torqued to spec. So, now, this thing rides SOLID. No more funky noises (some other noises I heard are gone now too). Thanks for the help everyone. It took me awhile, but I got it done.
John
The dream is dead, long live the dream.......😥
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Re: Replacing axles on '93 Caravan, any advice?
[Re: SattyNoCar]
#1190831
03/13/12 03:09 AM
03/13/12 03:09 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,699 Newport, Mi
Evil Spirit
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,699
Newport, Mi
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Quote:
As a laugh, here's a pic of my 'home made' tool for busting loose the axle nuts. Take one heavy construction bar, one pipe wrench, a couple of muffler clamps, and a cheap socket that doesn't matter if it gets tore up and voila'!
A proper impact would have been nice, but, I just don't have the $$$ for one, especially for how little I would end up using it.
Jeff Foxworthy could have a field day with this picture...You might be a redneck if...
Free advice and worth every penny... Factory trained Slinky rewinder.........
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