Answer

hello,the following is the procedure from the manual. there are no special tools required and as for the axle nut its hard to say what size it is, i have a set that i use that goes from 30-36mm and it covers pretty much all axle nuts.

 

 

Removal & Installation

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions section.
2. Drain the transaxle oil.
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Wheels
   • ABS sensor, if equipped
   • splash shield, if equipped
4. Raise the staked portion of the hub locknut with a hammer and chisel.
5. Lock the hub by applying the brakes and remove the nut.
6. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • stabilizer bar from the lower control arm
   • cotter pin and nut from the tie rod end ball stud
   • Tie rod end from the knuckle
   • Transverse member, on the 626
   • lower ball joint pinch bolt and nut
   • Lower ball joint from the knuckle
7. If removing the left side shaft on 626 with automatic transaxle, proceed as follows:
   1. Suspend the engine using engine support tool 49 G017 5A0.
   2. Remove the engine mount member.
8. Position a prybar between the inner CV-joint and transaxle case. Carefully pry the halfshaft from the transaxle being careful not to damage the oil seal. If equipped with a right side intermediate shaft, insert the prybar between the halfshaft and intermediate shaft and tap on the bar to uncouple them.
9. Pull outward on the hub/knuckle assembly, push the outer CV-joint stub shaft through the hub and remove the halfshaft. If the halfshaft is stuck in the hub, install the old hub nut to protect the stub shaft threads. Tap on the nut, using only a soft mallet, to remove the halfshaft.

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   Exploded view of a typical halfshaft mounting-Except Mazda 3

   Click to Enlarge

NOTE

Install plug tool 49 G030 455 into the transaxle after removing the halfshaft, to keep the differential side gear in position. If the gear becomes positioned incorrectly, the differential may have to be removed to realign the gear.

1. Remove the intermediate shaft, if necessary, by removing the support bearing bolts and pulling the shaft from the transaxle.

To install:

1. Install or connect the following:
   • New circlip on the end of the intermediate shaft, if removed, with the end gap facing upward.
   • intermediate shaft in the transaxle, being careful not to damage the oil seals
   • Intermediate shaft support bearing bolts. Torque in sequence, to 45 ft. lbs. (61 Nm).
   • New circlip on the end of the halfshaft, with the end gap facing upward
   • Halfshaft into the transaxle, being careful not to damage the oil seal

NOTE

If equipped, push the halfshaft into the intermediate shaft.

• Other end of the halfshaft through the hub. Loosely install a new locknut

1. If installing the left side shaft on 626 with automatic transaxle, proceed as follows:
   1. Install the engine mount member. Torque the mount member-to-body bolts to 66 ft. lbs. (89 Nm).
   2. Torque the front mount-to-mount member nuts to 77 ft. lbs. (104 Nm) and the side mount bolts to 44 ft. lbs. (60 Nm).
   3. Remove the engine support tool.
2. Install or connect the following:
   • lower ball joint into the knuckle. Torque the pinch bolt to 40 ft. lbs. (54 Nm).
   • Transverse member, on 626. Torque the bolts to 96 ft. lbs. (132 Nm).
   • tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Torque the nut to 42 ft. lbs. (57 Nm) on all except 626 and Millenia or to 32 ft. lbs. (44 Nm) for 626 and Millenia.
   • New cotter pin. Tighten the nut, if necessary, to align the ball stud hole with the nut castellation.
   • stabilizer bar to the lower control arm
   • splash shield
   • Wheels
   • New hub nut. Torque it to 174-235 ft. lbs. (235-318 Nm). After tightening, stake the locknut using a hammer and dull bladed chisel.
3. Fill the transaxle.