Hello All,
Planning on diving into a front strut and hub assembly replacement job next weekend on a 98' V70 AWD 156k.
I have watched a few youtube videos on doing the front hub assembly (great FCP video on struts). My question is, do I need to drop the axle in order to access the hub assembly bolts?

Anyone done the job on this car before? I feel like dropping the axle is a bit beyond my level of expertise, but could be a great learning opportunity.

 

I did this not too long ago on my V70, although mine is not AWD. The front axles are actually very easy to remove. Once you get the big bolt off the end, there is a bracket that holds the other end in the transmission. Two bolts hold that bracket. Remove that bracket and you can easily pull the axle loose from the transmission.

I have read about folks having problems getting the axle out of the hub assembly but mine came out rather easily. Be sure to get an alignment done right afterwards if you replace the front struts. Good luck.

 

One more note: If you are not replacing the axle you will not need to remove the bracket or pull the axle from the transmission. You will have enough room to wiggle it out and work on the hub assembly, although I have seen people remove it just to get it out of the way.

 

Not sure if your car would be different from this:

 

Thanks BIGV592 / RSPI

I've got the Firestone lifetime alignment. Little did they know how long I was planning to have the car.

 

Wanted to be a good forum member and post as I completed the Strut / Hub Assembly replacement project on Saturday.
Axle bolts we're pretty tough to break - actually blew out a breaker bar ratchet. Kind of funny, one of the axle bolts was semi cross threaded or had some damaged threads. So I broke the axle bolts took the wheel / caliper and rotor off. Then the axle bolt that had damaged threads needed a lot more power to remove and I had nothing keeping the axle in place. Had to have my brother tap in for an extra set of hands. Anyway got the bolt off and pushed the axle through the assembly like in the video - no problem. Removed the hub bolts. The old hub was so fused on that I split it in two hammering it off.
Side #2 went twice as fast.
Mission complete - car drives so much better. New hubs and new Bilstein's!