idlegrip

I'm in the process of changing out the front axels on a'97 Cabriolet, and I've a roadblock [naturally]. The outer end is free, pretty straight forward. Nothing I've read prepared me for the other end. Not the axel, but rather the protective plate surrounding the bottom half. It is held on with 3 cap-head bolts [6mm allen]. the last is virtually unreachable without removing part of the exhaust or some of the chasis, am I missing something? Or should I try to cut the bolt or the shield? It seems the only down side would be the rubber boot won"t be as protected, but then it will be easier to replace won't it?

hubturn

I've replaced mine and can't figure out what protective plate you are talking about. '95 Cab 2.8l 12v N097 trans. You do know that the inner CV joint bolts that attach the axle to the drive flange are not allen bolts. They require a triple square bit, not an allen bit. It helps to have the other side off the ground so that you can rotate the axle to get those bolts in a better position for removal. There is a difference for non USA/Canada models per Bentleys manual.

Black Vengeance

He's referring to the heat shield that's in between the exhaust and the CV's.

idlegrip

Ok B.V. that sounds right, they are heat shields. Now how do I get them off! Has anyone got any ideas?

Black Vengeance

I've never dealt with the v6 ones, so things may be different. I just put the one back on my 80q and i was able to get at the top bolt through the wheel well. Took a long extension and a flex socket to get at it.

sonnigentag

I do admit is hard to get but is not unreachable by any means. You need a 6mm allen key, and get all the way under the car and try to reach for it. Try switching from the short side to the longer side. If I remember well, the short side of the allen key is the one that interacts with the bolt. Use pliers to hold the allen key, if you still cannot reach it. Good luck !