Removing the front axle assembly from the 2002 Dodge Durango is not an easy task. The axle is connected to the transmission and controls the wheels, rotating through CV (constant velocity) joints. You must use extreme caution when disconnecting an axle from the truck to make sure you don't damage any other part of the transmission or differential in the process.
Raise the truck on its front end using the floor jack and then lower it down onto the jack stands to support it.
Remove the skid plate from the truck if one is equipped--remove all its fasteners with a screwdriver.
Pull the inner CV joints off of the axle shafts. Tie up the drive shafts with strong pieces of wire to keep them from hanging by the outer CV joints.
Mark the drive shaft's relationship to the differential and transfer case flanges using paint or whiteout.
Remove the bolts connecting the drive shaft to the transfer case and differential flanges using a wrench. Push the shaft's rear end for ward to separate it from the transfer case and then lower it to separate it from the differential.
Disconnect the vent tube from the front end of the differential.
Raise a floor jack under the differential housing to support it and then remove the bolts connecting the axle to the engine/transmission brackets and to the engine mounts using your wrench. Lower the axle assembly using the jack.
