Having axle problems or finding grease under your car? Yeah, me too.

Hey, I have a #CheapJeep series, lets make a new series with this Honda Odyssey! This vehicle isn't mine, but I perform the routine maintenance and fix any problems it may have. I have made a post about HOW TO - CHANGE YOUR OWN OIL and used this van as the subject. A very good thing to do is inspect things while you're waiting on the oil to drain. By doing this I was able to notice both of the inner cv axles were slinging grease. I looked closer to make sure there were no holes, it was only the clamps were loose. Here's how I fixed that!

Oh, how's Honda: The Odyssey Series sound to you?!

---

I began by supporting the vehicle on jack stands. Most important step! After removing the wheel I removed the nuts on the strut bolts.

Next I removed the axle nut with a 36mm socket. Funny story, I didn't have this size so I drove to 3 stores trying to find one. Luckily Lowe's came through for me. Before you remove the axle nut you will notice a dent at the end of it. You need to get a flathead and straighten it out first, this dent is to keep it locked in place.

You can either remove the strut bolts or the lower ball joint to do this job. I kind of did both by removing the lower ball joint and the lowest strut bolt to make it easier. So, remove the cotter pin in the lower ball joint nut by pulling with pliers. Then I used a 19mm wrench to remove the nut.

Either use a ball joint separator (pictured) or smack the side on the lower control arm a few times with a BFG (big freakin' hammer) to persuade it. Next grab a pry bar and push down between the lower control arm and knuckle to get the ball joint out.

Once the knuckle is free, begin giving the axle a few smacks to break it free of any rust.

Now grab the bottom of the rotor and begin pulling towards you. If your axle isn't sliding out, hit it with the hammer/punch as you pull everything backwards.

Next stick a pry bar between the transaxle (where the other end of the axle slides into) and the cv axle, then pry to separate them. Once it's free pull the axle out.

Grab something to remove the old clamp. WITHOUT cutting the rubber boot.

After it's off clean off all the grease residue. I got these clamps from Napa for $2.50 each. They have small clips that hook into the square holes. get this as tight as you can around it, then hook it into a square.

These clamps require a special tool to crimp them. It was $7 at Napa, a great tool addition! Don't waste your time trying to find another way, the time you'll save is worth it.

That's really all there is to it! Just slide your axle back in, put it back through the hub, pry between the lower control arm/knuckle to get the ball joint stud back in and tighten the nut/reinstall cotter pin, reinstall strut bolts and tighten nuts, put the bolt back in the brake caliper line and re-clip the ABS line, then reinstall the axle nut. Be sure to look up your vehicle's torque for the axle nut. Be sure to use a punch or screw driver to put the dent back in it.

---

Outtakes:

Thanks to my talented wife @alovelymess for capturing these shots while I tackled this! Visit her page for amazing photography!

---

I LOVE getting feedback! Do you have suggestions or comments on how to improve my posts? If so, post them below, I want to hear from you!