So I found that my right side outer CV boot spilled it's guts and it's been clicking on turns. I'm now trying to remove the axle, but the connection at the intermediate bearing bracket won't let lose. I've pried the **** out of it to no avail and managed to mangle the dust shield and bearing bracket shield in the process. I'm about ready to take a small sledge and knock the **** out of it. Anyone have a smarter idea I could try first?

I need to fix this problem and move on to the next... leaking P/S pressure hose.

I'll answer my own question for anyone else that get's into this jam.

Autozone has a tool rental service. You pay a deposit, use the tool, and when you bring it back they refund the deposit 100%. It's essentially free.

Now, I found that they had a tool called a FWD Axle Puller Adapter (part no. OEM27058) - find at http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan...axle_puller.htm that attaches to a 5/8" threaded slide hammer. I had to rent one of those as well.

When I got it home, it took about 5 minutes of hammering to get the axle out.

hi, only just read your post, sorry but you can't always get an answer to questions that quickly it may take a few days for any members who have the knowledge to read and post an answer for you. however glad you have solved your problem. in future you may find it useful to log onto hmaservce.com and register, there you will find all the technical answers for any problems you may encounter for your XG including the removal of the drive shafts

Hi Montego - no worries. I just like to complete my threads so that when someone else comes hunting for the same question 2 years from now a solution will be there for them.

Thanks for the tip on the HMAservice site. I actually saw one of your posts several months back suggesting that site and I've been on there ever since. While I find it to be helpful in giving overviews and pictorial diagrams, I find it lacking in detail for those items I've tackled thus far.

Since I got the axle out, I've left it alone since I realized that it will be much easier to replace the power steering pressure hose without the axle in the way. Removing the air cleaner box and MAF sensor assembly clears out some room on the other side to reach the connections at the steering gear. I'll probably give that a go next week.

the golden rule of motor mechanics....never undo or remove anything that you don't really have too....good luck

try to heat it up