How to Change the Front Axle on an S-10 Blazer

by Daniel Valladares

The front axle of your Chevrolet S-10 Blazer is important for steering your truck. If the axle is damaged in an accident, or it breaks somehow, you should replace it immediately to continue safely operating your S-10 Blazer. Thankfully, replacing the front axle is fairly straightforward. You will need to raise the S-10 Blazer with a jack in order to access the axle. It should only take between one to two hours to replace the front axle, depending on your experience level.

Step 1

Raise up the S-10 with a jack. Support the front end of the S-10 with jack stands.

Step 2

Remove the lug nuts from the wheel with a socket wrench and remove the wheel from the axle you will be replacing.

Step 3

Remove the bolts from the skid plate with a socket wrench and pull the skid plate off. Remove the hub nut and washer with a socket wrench.

Step 4

Loosen, but do not yet remove, the bolts on the axle shaft.

Step 5

Remove the brake pipe and wire support brackets from the upper control arm with a slotted screwdriver.

Step 6

Disconnect the tie rod end from the steering knuckle with a slotted screwdriver. Remove the lower shock absorber mounting bolt with a socket wrench.

Step 7

Remove the clamp from the stabilizer bar with a socket wrench. Remove its bolt, spacer, and bushings in a similar fashion.

Step 8

Place a floor jack underneath the lower control arm. Remove the cotter pin on the upper ball joint and loosen the ball stud nut with a socket wrench to gain access to the axle.

Step 9

Use a puller tool to remove the front axle from the S-10. Install the replacement axle onto the vehicle.

Step 10

Reattach the cotter pin and tighten the ball stud nut. Reassemble the stabilizer bar and its components, and reattach the lower shock absorber mounting bolt and tie rod end.