How To Replace A Mazda 6 Axle Assembly

Mazda 6

A bad CV axle means a stranded car. Put your Mazda 6 back on the road by replacing your axle assembly as soon as possible! Skip the dealership and do it at home with this tutorial.

Project Basics

  • Vehicle: 2003-2008 Mazda 6 (but this tutorial can be applied to an older or newer Mazda 6 model)
  • Assembly: Front CV axle assembly (The steps for an AWD Mazda rear axle assembly are similar.)
  • Skill level: Intermediate
  • Time to complete: 2 hours (give or take, depending on experience)

Tools To Get Before Starting

  • 10-32mm socket set
  • Ratchet and extensions
  • Breaker bar
  • 17mm wrench
  • Hammer or pickle fork
  • Pry bar
  • Chisel or punch
  • Rubber mallet
  • Rust penetrant
  • Bungee cord
  • Torque wrench
  • Screw jack
  • Car lift or jack/jack stands

1. Order An OEM Replacement Axle Assembly

You have two ways of obtaining an OEM replacement Mazda axle assembly:

  1. Buy one at a Mazda dealership
  2. Order one online from an established OEM parts supplier (like us)

The second option is much cheaper than the first one. It’s because you’d pay a large markup at a dealership while you can order one from us at a discounted price. Look up your Mazda 6 in our catalog to see how much money you can save by ordering from us. If you have a Mazda 6 made from 2007 through 2017, check out one of the two parts below:

2. Lift Your Car And Then Remove The Wheels

You can use a reliable home car lift or a jack and jack stand. Just be sure to lift your car safely. Remove the lug nuts with a 21mm socket wrench.

3. Remove The CV Axle Nut

The CV axle nut is located in the middle of the hub. If the nut is difficult to remove due to rust or something else, use a rust penetrant. Gather together a pry bar, breaker bar, and 32mm socket. Use the pry bar to hold the rotor in place, connect the socket and breaker bar to the lug nut, and then push down the breaker bar with your foot.

4. Remove The Top Control Arm Nuts, ABS Sensors, And The Flex Hose Mounting Bolts

By doing this, you don’t need to remove the two lower ball joint bolts because they’re pretty difficult to take out. You will need 10mm, 12mm, and 17mm sockets to remove all of these parts.

5. Separate The Upper Ball Joint From The Knuckle

You can do this with a hammer or a pickle fork. If you choose the latter tool, be careful not to tear the boot if you want to reuse the ball joint.

6. Remove The Brake Assembly

Remove the brake caliper from the steering knuckle. Use a bungee or a wire to support the caliper so the brake line does not get damaged. Then remove the rotor from the hub.

7. Remove CV Axle Shaft From The Intermediate Shaft

Replacing axle

Image Credit: Revit Auto

This step only applies to the passenger side CV Axle. It is easiest for most people to remove the intermediate shaft and the CV axle while they are still connected to each other. Then, you can put the intermediate shaft in a vise, and hammer out the CV axle.

8. Slide The CV Shaft Axle Out

If you’re having trouble taking out the CV axle, use a 15mm socket to dismount the strut tower from the lower control arm. This will free up some room for the axle to come out.

9. Install The New CV Axle Shaft In The Reverse Order Of Removal

Tip: Before sliding the new passenger side axle shaft into the intermediate shaft, check and see if there’s a keyway on each part. If both parts have a keyway, make sure they line up when sliding the shaft into the intermediate shaft.

Got any questions about replacing your axle assembly? Please call us or shoot us an email.