Pontiac Repair: DRIVER SIDE CV AXLE

Question
I HAVE 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA FRONT WHEEL DRIVE 3400 MOTOR. THE DRIVER SIDE CV AXLE INNER JOINT HAS GREASE SLUNG ALL OVER, BUT I CAN'T SEE A BOOT TEAR AND THE CLAMP APPEARS INTACT. THE CAR HANDLES FINE BUT HAS A GROANING SOUND ABOVE 15 MPH. I CAN'T FIND A SPLIT BOOT REPAIR ANYWHERE I'VE TRIED, SO I BOUGHT A NEW AXLE AND I HAVE ALL THE TOOLS AND A HUB PULLER. MY PROBLEM IS THE HAYNES MANUAL SEEMS TOO GENERALIZED. I GOT TO THE SECTION TO SEPARATE THE STEERING KNUCLE FROM THE STRUT AND IT SEEMS TO DESCRIBE PARTS NOT ON THIS MODEL. IF YOU COULD PLEASE TELL ME AN EXACT PROCEDURE TO REMOVE AND INSTALL THE CV AXLE AND NOT ONE APPLICABLE TO MANY MODELS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Answer
Hi Joe.
I'm not a service manual writer but here is what you need to do. remove the wheel and brake caliper and rotor. the nut has to be removed from the outer CV joint where it goes though the hub. that is a 36MM nut. because you got a complete axle you can just pound on the outer cv where it goes though the hub iuf you were saving it I would not tell you to do this.  you needs to take the though bolts for the strut that go though the knuckle out and also the lower ball joint nut. you will need a tool called a pickle fork to separate the ball joint from the knuckle. lube up the fork before you insert it between the knuckle and the joint so it slides over the ball joint boot and doesn't damage it wheel bearing grease works well.  ones that it broke free you can unhoot the wiring for the anti lock brake and then remove the knuckle from the suspension and then that axle will be right there. you will need a long pry bar to wedge between the transmission side cover and the inner xv joint and pry the axle out the new axle will just pop into the transmission. Just reverse the removal to re assembly.