The Mazda 626 has two half shafts. The half shafts are the front axles of the vehicle. The half shaft on the driver's side secures between the transmission and the brake spindle. The half shaft on the passenger side secures between a carrier bearing on the engine block and the brake spindle. Both shafts remove from the Mazda with the same process.
Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel with a tire iron, jack up the front of the Mazda with a jack and place the vehicle onto a jack stand. Remove the lug nuts and pull the wheel off the brake rotor.
Locate the two mounting bolts that secure the brake caliper to the brake spindle. The bolts secure to the back of the caliper. Use a socket to remove them and then pull the caliper off the Mazda's brake rotor.
Pry the center cap off the Mazda's rotor hub using a screwdriver. Remove the bolt that secures the rotor to the brake spindle and then pull the rotor off the spindle.
Remove the nut that secures the spindle to the upper and lower control arms with a socket.
Pull out on the spindle to remove it from the splined shaft of the half shaft.
Pull the shaft out of the transmission or carrier by pulling straight out on it.
