replacing front CV axles?

They get old, dry rot, and rip. As far as replacement, most shops just replace the half shaft which includes the axle and both CV joints. This video shows the job being done on a similar car but the process is the same.

https://youtu.be/XeqT-_fwVQg

That is what I would recommend. A half shaft is around 150.00 each and labor is around 3 hours for both.

what is the best way to change out the cv half shaft seal on the driver side front and do i have to open up the front diff to complete the job

Do you mean the seal IN the axle housing or one of the CV boots?

If you mean the one in the housing that seals the stub shaft , Remove the drivers side half shaft. Then you can remove and replace the seal. Check the bearing while you have the seal out. It can also be replaced while you're there. Just be careful installing the new one.

Once you have the new seal in it would be a good idea to check/change the front axle lube in case any was lost through the bad seal.

ok ya it's just the shaft seal and bearing's that i have to change tha crappy part is there are no bolts holding the half shaft in place so it's get the shaft out that is the problem it's a free floater set up but thx for the info it is going to help

OK, to pull the half shaft is simple. First you need to jack up the front, pull the tire/wheel off. Now you need to remove the nut in the middle of the hub. Next step is to use a block of wood to break the axle loose from the hub, one good whack on the wood block on the end of the shaft should get it loose. Next you want to position a jack under the lower A arm. You will also want to remove the brake caliper for extra room. Just remove the two caliper pins and hang it out of the way. Now remove the pinch bolt from the lower steering knuckle area. Then GENTLY pry the ball joint free from the knuckle. Now you can pull out on the knuckle and push in on the axle at the same time. Now that you have the axle free on the outer end. Reach in around the inner tri-pot joint with a couple pry bars. You just pop the axle free (there is a small snap ring inside) and it will come out. Change the parts and reverse the procedure to put the axle back in. Torque the pinch bolt to 30 ft.lbs (good and tight if you don't have a torque wrench) The large axle nut gets torqued to 120 ft.lbs.

when ever i drive it it makes a noise like it is hitting something and i can feel vibration in the floorboard on passenger side but it does it the most when i turn it too the left but still does it when i straighten it back up

[quote:7826c58ab0="bhornet40"]Shakes or Wobbles problem
1998 Chevy Blazer Four Wheel Drive Automatic
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when ever i drive it it makes a noise like it is hitting something and i can feel vibration in the floorbboard on passenger side but it does it the most when i turn it too the left but still does it when i straighten it back up[/quote:7826c58ab0]

It sounds like it is your CV Axle, However, it could also be the wheel bearings... To check these, jack up the front of the vehicle stabilize with jack stands. then crawl under and grab the cv axle at near one of the boots, now twist it, does it have a lot of play? If not do same at the other boot on same axle. If has a lot of play replace cv axle. If all feels good and tight then check bearings... to do this just grab the wheel at top and bottom, now pull out at bottom and push in at top, it should have very little to no play. If has a lot of play then replace bearing. Check both driver and passenger sides.

When replacing the front axle and cvc joint was is the standard practice, showed i replace the whole axle or just the part from cvc to cvc.

depending how the other cv joint is you should only need to replace one . It is recommended to replace both. check with a local auto store, most have axles that are rebuilt and can be put on in one piece.

I am having trouble getting the left cv axle disconnected from diff. I have everything taken off axle just wont come out. I see on the new axle there is a retaining ring???need help please

You have to "pop" it out, such as with a prybar. Find somewhere to pry against and put your prybar against the metal part of the axle near the transaxle, then pop it out. Sounds scary but that is the procedure.

Long story short, I did not abuse it and it randomly broke on me, boots been ripped forever too. I was able to pull some metal pieces from inside the front passenger boot. Anyway, I am needing to find out if all I need to replace is the CV axle. It also will me spin it freely by hand, as if it is not connected to the tire. Cannot afford a look over from a mechanic.

That looks like broken pieces of the CV joint cage that holds the steel balls.
Why do you not just go take the complete axle along with the CV joint from a car in a salvage yard?
You can find if there are any 1987 Chevrolet s10 Blazers near you with this nationwide database of salvage yards.
http://www.car-part.com/

My nearest real salvage yard of any kind is about ninety miles away. If the cage is broken would that mean my axle is fine? And I will just need a CV joint ?

I will not be doing the repairs but I do have to find out what is wrong. I need to keep the amount of things to replace limited.

You can just purchase the entire CV axle assembly from Summit Racing for about $50.00.
https://www.summitracing.com/search/year/1987/make/chevrolet/model/s10-blazer/part-type/axle-shafts-direct-fit?N=4294950300%2B4294951398%2B4294949276%2B4294945517&SortBy=Default&SortOrder=Ascending&keyword=cv

Came out to about $70.00 with basic shipping, it would not give me a delivery day. Do you know about how long that is by chance? Is the vehicle still driveable without risk of something worse happening?

Summit Racing is usually pretty fast, like two to three days.
It's hard to say what may go wrong next, but anytime you notice the boot torn you must replace the boot and grease so the CV joint doesn't wear out from no grease.

Just got it in, it didnt come with a cage of any kind like what's broke ??

So what else am I gonna need ???

Are you saying you opened up the grease boot to take a look at the cv joint and you are saying there is no cage?
Was the boot full of grease?
Why would you want to take it apart anyhow, I don't understand maybe I interpreted your reply differently than you intended.
Did I and if so how?

The boot was ripped, so I was able to see inside, part of the cage is still in there , and the other parts fell out as pictured . You made it sound like the cv assembly had the cage ?

I thought this was a brand new cv axle assembly that you got from Summit Racing.
Is this the old one?

I got the remanufactured too, I clicked your link, enter my vehicle specifications and what I got was just a CV.

I don't understand, are you looking in the new or old CV boot?

When I was talking about the broken pieces, I was talking about my old one. Now when I was talking about then you are not having a cage, I thought the cage was something exterior that it's hooked up from the wheel to the CV, not inside of the CV itself. To confirm things is the cage inside of the CV.

Voice to text sucks, sorry about that

My bad, i didnt fully understand how it hooked up, a friend explained it to me. I thought the cage that holds the part i pctured was a separate piece, i realize now it is internal.. all is well haha.

The cage holds the cv joint steel ball.
See here, https://imgur.com/gallery/2zY7G