The Chevrolet Impala is a front wheel drive vehicle that uses two halfshafts to drive the front wheels. These halfshafts have CV joints on each side that let the axle rotate while also moving up and down in harmony with the suspension. The CV joints are made up of large bearings, and those need to stay lubricated. Should the boot around them break down, then the bearings won't be lubricated and the halfshafts could seize. To fix the problem, you need to replace the halfshaft as an assembly.
Pull up the parking brake handle on the Impala. Pick up the front end of the car with the jack. Put the jack stands under the Impala. Take off the wheels with the tire iron.
Put the drain pan underneath the connection between the halfshaft and the transmission. Unbolt the sway bar from the lower control arm with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket and an open-end wrench. Unbolt the tie rod from the steering knuckle with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket.
Unbolt the ball joint from the lower steering knuckle using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket. Unbolt the axleshaft nut from the middle of the steering knuckle with the 1/2-inch ratchet and socket. Install the press on the hub and righten the press down with the 1/2-inch ratchet and socket to pop the halfshaft out of the knuckle. Pull the halfshaft out of the transmission.
Install the replacement halfshaft into the transmission, then lift the steering knuckle onto the halfshaft. Install the halfshaft nut onto the haflshaft with the 1/2-inch ratchet and socket, then torque it down to 118 ft/lbs with the 1/2-inch torque wrench. Reinstall the steering knuckle to the ball joint with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket.
Bolt the tie rod end and sway bar to the suspension with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket. Reinstall the front wheels with the tire iron, then lower the Impala onto the ground with the jack.
