HELP Axle replacement problem

[mrw]

I am trying to replace the passenger side front axle assembly on my 1999 AV 2.8 V6 5 speed. I cannot get the old axle out. I have followed the instruction in the DIY section posted by Wholsea. It looks like I have to disconnect the upper control arm to give be enough room to remove the axle. Do I have to remove the nut and bolt that retains the upper ball joints or just loosen them? I removed the nut and the bolt will not budge. I soaked it with PB blaster and beat on it with a 2.5 lb sledge (yes with the nut on to protect the threads. Am I missing something? I did not want to start beating on the ball joints to remove them before I found out if I had to remove the whole bolt ot not. Thanks

[mike-2ptzero]

You should be able to just unbolt the bottom control arm from the spindle and then pull the spindle outward a bit so you can side the axle out of the flange at the transmission, then you can slide the axle out.

[Lazer Viking]

the bolt that retains the upper ball joints is called a pinch bolt... just do a search for the term "pinch bolt" on here and you will find lots of cases, of that bolt being the biggest bitch in the world, you more then likely will not get that out in one piece

[djwimbo]

The rear lower control arm comes out/off with ease. Disconnect that from the spindle and pull the 4 nuts off the sub frame that hold the sway bar onto it. You can pull/push the spindle out enough to get that axle out.
Make sure the steering is not locked so you can turn the wheel to make it easier.

[mrw]

Failure was not an option and I was not about to face the humiliation of taking the car to the shop with a job half done so I plowed forward. I gave up on the PB Blaster and used a cut-off wheel to cut the bolt flush. I then drilled out the pinch bolt starting with a small bit and gradually increased the size until it was just about out. I then drove the remaining pieces out. I took my time so I would not damage anything else. After I finally got the pinch bolt out the rest of the install was not too difficult. A job that I expected would take me about an hour and a half took closer to 6 or 7 mainly because I was trying to avoid destroying the pinch bolt and really diggin my way in a hole. It all worked out and I finished up in time to go out to dinner with my wife. Thanks for the advice.