Axle Shaft Removal
PROCEDURE
1. Raise the vehicle and place it on support stands.
2. Drain the fluid or oil from the transmission case.

3. Remove the cotter pin and the castellated washer.

4. Lock the hub (with a tool or have an assistant depress the brake pedal) and remove the axle shaft nut.
5. Remove the brake caliper, move it aside and secure it without disconnecting the hose.
6. Remove the cotter pin and loosen the tie-rod end nut.
7. Press the tie-rod end out of the steering knuckle arm.
8. Remove the lower ball joint nut and press the joint out of the steering knuckle.

9. Thread the nut onto the axle shaft end and tap the axle shaft out of the hub with light blows, then immediately secure the end of the axle shaft.
Right Axle Shaft on Early Models

10. Pry the axle shaft out of the transmission case with a pry bar.
11. Press so that the snap ring compresses into the groove and comes out of the differential pinion gear.
12. Remove the axle shaft.
Right Axle Shaft with Intermediate Support on Later Models
13. Remove the intermediate bearing housing bolts.

14. Using both hands, move the bearing housing and pry it by inserting a lever between the housing and the bracket.
15. Remove the axle shaft assembly with the bearing and the CV joint housing.
Left Axle Shaft on All Vehicles Except Those with Automatic Transmission
16. The procedure is the same as for removing the right axle shaft. Do not damage the oil seal when removing the axle shaft.
Left Axle Shaft on Vehicles with Automatic Transmission
17. To remove the left axle shaft, first remove the right axle shaft.

18. Carefully insert a rod or a large screwdriver through the opening of the right axle shaft until it contacts the end of the left axle shaft, without damaging the drive pinion, pinion gears or pinion shaft (1 – screwdriver tip, 2 – drive pinion, 3 – axle shaft, 4 – pinion shaft).
19. Drive out the axle shaft with light blows. The snap ring must compress into the groove and come out of the differential pinion gear.
20. Remove the axle shaft.
Test yourself
A quick Nissan Sunny quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.