Quick question, fellows.

How difficult is it to replace the half shaft front left axle on a 1999 TL? I somehow managed to break mine in two places and now the dealership wants $550 to replace it.

Rate this job on a 1-10 scale. 1 being an oil change and 10 being a engine replacement/overhaul.

Also, are there any special tools that are required??

Many thanks!!

 

I would say about a 5-6. I did this job myself and the most complicated thing I had done before was install my coilovers. The only special tools needed are an axle socket (can be rented), a ball joint puller (also can be rented) and a BIG ass breaker bar. The rest is standard sockets. I got the axles for 75 bucks each, the tools for under 20. Did it over a weekend and saved myself 1100 bucks

 

Ball join puller and axle socket is not bad to do, but what is the breaker bar for? Does the axle snap in with a ring that to have to use the breaker bar to remove it?

 

A breaker bar is for the 36 mm socket for the axle nut.

 

get the axle from napa and go to a local mechanic. napa sells brand new axles instead of reman axles. i paid 85 for my passenger axle and got it install for $100.

 

Thanks for the responses guys.

Also, thanks for the PM, Kris. Sorry I haven't responded.

EH

 

Ended up letting the dealership do the job...with my job being a 40 minute drive each way, and my buddy who normally helps me with jobs like this not being able to get to it at least until the weekend, PLUS having to borrow my girlfriends car (which she needs for work) it just wasn't worth the hassle. On top of all this, I would have to have the car towed to my house, then ask my buddy (who lives 30 minutes away) to bring his tools over....It killed me to pay the $540, when I could've done it for about $150, but the circumstances weren't allowing that.

I got the f'ed up axle from the dealership and it had SNAPPED in half, right in the middle. They said they had NEVER seen that happen.

Anybody ever heard of this? I have a 99 with 148k on the odometer. It's never been in an accident, nor have I ever hit any major potholes, objects, etc. It didn't fail at the CV joint, it literally broke in half.

EH

 

Anybody??

 

I've never heard of that.
Maybe it had a crack that kept growing.

 

Anybody else? I'd just like some more input as to what could have caused this.

 

Never heard of that either but sounds dangerous

 

Ive seen it a few times. Mostly from tires spinning quick then grabbing real quick (like the rubber pieces they use for road at RR intersections)