Replacing axle shafts

Howdy. Has any one replaced axle shafts on 93 3.1? It started developing a howl when driving and it kind of feels like it's racheting when turning. Also, when at highway speeds, when you turn to the left it quiets down. I've got a Hayne's manual and it looks pretty simple but I also know that it somtimes it leaves out things that would be nice to know. Anyway thanx for looking.
Mike

Are you sure it's an axle and not a hub bearing? If I understand your description, you have a noise driving straight down the highway that changes when you turn the steering to the left. That usually indicates a noisy hub bearing.

To answer your question about the axles, it is pretty easy. Axle nut, lower ball joint, remove axle from hub, remove axle from trans.

Agree with Gmtech1......classic symptoms of a hub/bearing......just make sure you replace the correct side....you won't be the first one to replace the wrong side....

Thanx for info. Didn't think about hub bearings. I figured it was axle cv joint going bad. The faster you went the louder it howled and say you was going 60, and turn left on a tight curve the noise went away but didn't when you turn right. I'm assuming it's the drivers side going bad. Is this right? Thanx again.
Mike

The best way to tell is to get the ft end off the ground, check for play top to bottom, if one or both are loose, replace them. Of they are both tight, have someone run the car in gear with the wheels off the ground. Use a stethascope (you can get one at most parts stores or tool stores) and put the metal probe on the hub mount bolts and listen, replace the loudest side.

Unfortunately, play in the bearing doesn't always mean that is the bearing that is making the noise......


ran into this a couple of times: Road tested the vehicle and definite bearing noise....jacked car up , and left front bearing had play in it, and other side didn't......so I replaced the loose side, and the noise was still there on the road test......that being said, I had to put another bearing on the car, and luckily, the owner understood the problem.....but if a bearing is loose, it should be replaced anyway, for it's just a matter of time....

As Gmtech1 stated, the only true way to determine which bearing is noisy, is by listening with a stethescope.....many have been misled by just listening while driving...as he said, jack front end, put it in drive, hold one wheel(forces other wheel to spin faster), and listen with a mechanic's stethescope.....place it on one of the three retaining bolts of the bearing with the wheel spinning, and listen....now do the same to the opposite side......the bad side will have a rumbling, erratic sound.......the good side will have a smooth swishing sound....

Agree....a classic bearing symptom.
Changing Bearing/hub assembly is rather straight forward....the process has been described quite extensively on this or the Transport forum. No special tools needed except Torx 55 and 1 5/16 socket. Unlock shaft nut by removing center wheel cap and leaving wheel/tire on ground so as not to stress transmission inner components.