axle removal and hub upgrade questions

[hummer_maxxer]

ok so first of all im trying to do my ball joints right now and every thing is off and out of the way execpt my axles shafts, ive been looking at them for ever and cant figure out how they come out, is there a llittle snap ring or somthing that im missing ??? and also when in the process of taking off my drivers side looking hub i ended up breaking it to pieces to get it out. should i just buy another stock or what are my options for upgrading ??

[purplehorn1977]

well get a set of aftermarket hubs from warn there cheaper and stronger than the stock. as far as the axle shaft goes there is just a seal that holds it into the steering knuckle so you have to just pull it out. there may also be some rust making this more difficult.

[hummer_maxxer]

so does that mean i prety much gotta ruin the seal to get the axle out ??

[purplehorn1977]

yes you will need the axle seals and also hub orings and axle tube seals also. if your lucky you can get it out without ruining the seal but i would replace them otherwise you may have a vacuum leak. if you have electric shift 4x4. if its manual i would worry as much.

[hummer_maxxer]

so if i have the manual shift 4x4 do i even have to worry about putting new ones ??