How to Replace CV Axle Shaft 00-03 Nissan Maxima

Difficulty: Advanced · About 100 min · Nissan Maxima

Replace a CV axle shaft, including dropping the lower control arm, on a 2000-2003 Nissan Maxima.

Steps

1. Remove the wheel

   Loosen the lug nuts with the car on the ground, then raise and support it and pull the wheel.

2. Loosen the hub nut and sway bar link

   Pull the cotter pin, break the 32mm hub nut loose with a breaker bar and pipe (or an impact wrench) while an assistant holds the brakes, striking it with a hammer first if it's stuck, then hold the stabilizer link's rod with a 14mm wrench while removing its 15mm nut.

3. Drop the lower control arm

   Remove its two 20mm bolts at the rear bracket and its four 20mm bolts at the front.

4. Remove the old axle

   Pull the axle out of the hub, remove the three 12mm bolts on its transmission-side bracket, then with a drain pan ready, pry it out of the transmission and let it drain.

5. Install the new axle

   Coat the shaft with anti-seize, insert it into the transmission and refit its bracket and bolts evenly, then grease the outer end and press it into the hub.

6. Reinstall the control arm and stabilizer link

   Bolt the control arm back in and torque the six bolts to your service manual's specification, then reconnect the stabilizer link, holding its rod with the 14mm wrench while tightening the 15mm nut.

7. Tighten the hub nut and refill the transaxle fluid

   Torque the hub nut to about 217 ft-lb with an assistant holding the brakes, fit a new cotter pin, then top off the transaxle through its 10mm drain opening until fluid starts to drip out.

8. Reinstall the wheel

   Torque the lug nuts to about 100 ft-lb in a crossing pattern.

Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.