CV Axle Replacement 2001 Toyota Avalon (and most FWD vehicles))

An easier way to do this on many Toyotas rather than unbolting the steering knuckle from the strut is to unbolt the lower ball joint from the control arm then swinging the whole knuckle out of the way and removing the axle. That method doesn't work on all cars though and on many other makes of car you have to use the method shown in the video, which is why I chose to do it this way for demonstration. The process shown here can be used for replacing the CV axle (also called half shaft) on Toyota Corolla, Camry, Sienna, Highlander, Rav4, Celica, etc. Also essentially the same process for most other makes of FWD and AWD vehicles such as Honda, Nissan, Subaru, Chevy, and more.

[@YouGotsTheRabies]

This made me feel better about the struggle I had today with the snap-ring. I had the same curved needle-nose pliers and was getting nowhere. Finally I tried channel locks and got it right away.

[@cavemanstyle1376]

Can't tell you how much time I have wasted on these in the past. Now I just use a zip tie to compress the snap ring, place it into the groove and cut the zip tie with a pair of dikes, much easier and faster.

[@jasonbrockman562]

You sure made that look easy I’ve been trying to get this passenger side axle to release for over an hour and still no luck. Still got the original one installed on my 97 Avalon. It rounded by the bearing so got no way to pry against it.

[@tbirdddd5818]

You need to rent a slide hammer from autozone with the fwd puller. It’s basically a giant crows foot, and remove the strut so you can come from the topside bubba. I pried and hammered for 6 hours with heat, nothing. Went and got the slide hammer, tried from the same angle for like three hours it didn’t budge… I pulled TWICE from the top side and it slide right out

[@johnnyc482]

Thanks for the information. I am about to do this job for my parents '98 Avalon. Much appreciated.

[@cavemanstyle1376]

My pleasure, good luck!

[@seang402]

Must not be in the rust belt.that bearing came out smooth. Great vid

[@cavemanstyle1376]

Thank you!

[@frankli8881]

Please don't go under the car with the car only supported by a jack. It is very dangerous. Use jack stand instead.

[@cavemanstyle1376]

I used one here :)

[@stevew6141]

I had to turn away when you said you had your nuts in your hand😂 Really helpful video thank you👍🏻

[@brianrobertson8834]

Thank you. Just did mine using this.

[@jeffneal1518]

Yes, Just in case the hydraulics fail, jack stands, live longer to do more repairs.

[@cavemanstyle1376]

I actually did use one, you can see it at 33:47 :)

[@MrDaicon23]

I appreciate your video, help me out alot.👍

[@cavemanstyle1376]

Great to hear it!

[@bigboii-rl6yg]

I was trying to do this job on my 2001 Avalon and God damn I been trying to take it off for 6hr straight no luck

[@cameronjones2568]

Hit it from the half shaft not the bearing

[@johncervantes155]

I just tried doing it and pried it but it still doesnt come out i have the slide hammer crowbar everything and its just stuck

[@LuisMorales-fv1rk]

Thank you

[@tatsumaru12345]

Wish my snap ring on that support bearing came out that easy, or my axle feed that easily. Uh uh.

[@AAF_JRT]

Soo.. my axle is stuck in that bearing carrier. Yes the snap ring and bolt have been removed. I have pry popped at it, used a torch, rigged a cable to the axle cup (it snapped...) and used a sledge hammer, rented multiple slide hammers (rental period expired..) I’m one month into this job and have exhausted all options as well as hope. Hoping someone has any tips. 2000 Avalon Yes, the snap ring and bolt have been removed.

[@pedromari968]

I had same issue. Heat and big hammer got mine out. Some videos show cutting the axle, tried and it didn't work. Heat and Hammer three hour later was out.

[@cavemanstyle1376]

Sorry I am only just now seeing this comment. That's nuts! Do you live somewhere that gets a lot of rust? What ended up happening? My first thought is use an air hammer to beat it out, second thought is replace the bracket. What did you do?

[@patlysobey1938]

Extremely difficult repair if you don't have the car up on a lift and can use a midsize jackhammer to break the carrier bearing free. I tried heat with a Bernz o2 torch and a small air driven hammer and I couldn't break it free and I just scrapped the car.

[@cavemanstyle1376]

So what happened?

[@AAF_JRT]

@@cavemanstyle1376 We still have it on car jacks, I believe the city will be towing it shortly. Wishing I had brought the car into a dealership as the engine only has about 150k on it. :( It's just on jack stands so I fear I just wont ever have the leverage.

[@kuva2012]

Good job, but Camara is all over. Next time find someone to record the video.

[@GatesRapes]

New rotors

[@TyRC12]

Just so most know. The bearing will rust and come part of the axle. It's so hard to get out. This 1 looks eaSy.

[@jbeau72]

Well I usually don't get motion sickness.. but the job looks easy however now I think I need to puke.

[@lanceholt2923]

Did thus car have a driveable problem? I have a 01 avalon and replaced all motor mounts and at 55 to 65 it jumps like the motor is jumping I think my axle has a bad spot and causes a jumping at the mph 55 to 65. I mean it jumps.

[@cavemanstyle1376]

I've never heard of a CV axle causing that symptom

[@jasonjoslin8664]

Mine is doing the same thing, vibration jumping like it’s the engine. Did the motor mounts as well . Wondering if the bearing in the CV axle is causing the vibration at higher speeds.

[@frankli8881]

Is there a oil leak on the ground?

[@cavemanstyle1376]

That is water from the evaporator.

[@mangelleslie915]

Can't the cv axle be removed without taking the strut bolts off. Just the lower ball joint and tie rod end taken apart and the axle bolt should be all you need to take apart to get the axle free from the hub then pull it out. Or do you take the strut out of the way to give you more room to work?

[@cavemanstyle1376]

You can do it either way

[@cavemanstyle1376]

Actually on some you can just unbolt sway bar link from the strut and the two nuts and one bolt for the ball joint and not even unbolt the tie rod. And then use a strap to pull the knuckle back out of the way. Just be sure to unbolt the sway bar link, if you don't you might bend it LOL

[@DubSvt-zz9tb]

Is this the driver or passenger side?

[@cavemanstyle1376]

Passenger but it is the same process for the driver side, minus the snap ring.

[@JaridDoe]

Nope sorry but I’d be pissed on the dust shield. I’m a mech. For sure be upset

[@cavemanstyle1376]

What?

[@udokee7409]

20 minutes maybe if you u got power tools lol

[@cavemanstyle1376]

Yeah, and if you've done it a few times 😉

[@Z-Ack]

30 mins my left buttcheek..

[@cavemanstyle1376]

😂

[@mangelleslie915]

It is painful to watch you work. Lol

[@cavemanstyle1376]

Haha why's that?

[@mangelleslie915]

You know how to do the job quick and easy yet everything is fighting you every step of the way.

[@cavemanstyle1376]

@@mangelleslie915 That's because working on the ground sucks lol

[@jbeau72]

1 word.. Tripod

[@reddragon3787]

Learn how to edited your video and filming it more stable. I just threw up at the first couple minutes, because it was too shaking.

[@cavemanstyle1376]

😂

[@CorporalCactus-fs8ns]

you did what now? Idk about you but i usually cease whatever activity that is making me throw up. Maybe stop watching videos that make you vomit. Im glad you were able to prevent anymore vomiting in order to write this comment

[@cavemanstyle1376]

​@@CorporalCactus-fs8ns 😂😂😂

[@ArmandoHernandez-iq5we]

At 21:56 thru 22:10 what was you loosening up? Was it the motor mount bolts from underneath {4bolts}? Im having problems my self on a 2000 Toyota Sienna

[@cavemanstyle1376]

You shouldn't have to unbolt anything from the motor for this. You just need to take out the little stopper bolt that goes through the axle bracket which is bolted to the engine, and then remove the snap ring. I filmed this so long ago, but I think I was just struggling to get my pliers in position to put that snap ring back in place. It can be a real pain in the butt sometimes.

[@cavemanstyle1376]

That's why you hear me commenting that it's the most frustrating part of the whole job lol