1995 Pontiac Grand Prix SE questions...

[kaine614]

Hello i am a new member to this site but have heard a lot about it. i recently purchased a used 1995 Pontiac Grand Prix SE for $500, and was well worth it until about a month after the purchase my front right axle broke while turning into an inclining driveway of a gas station, i had several people look at it and tell me that it needed a new front passenger CV Axle and a front lower ball joint. ive also been told that i may want to go ahead and switch the driver side as well for it will go soon after. but my basic question is that i have located the parts online and prices but does anyone know what tools i will need to perform the swap?? and i also have i guess what is an a/c compressor that does not work and i visited a body shop and they told me if i keep riding around with it whining like it does, it can lock up my entire engine and i wont be able to drive at all, i think he is just trying to hustle me out of money but i honstly dont know, so if possible please please let me know and thanks
-kaine

[3100 MPFI]

the axle is pretty easy. If you get a new hub for it, then the only tools you need are basic ones, a T60 TORX bit to remove the brake caliper bolts, and a prybar to remove the axle from the transmission.

Basically, all you do is just loosen the lug nuts, jack the car up, remove the wheel, remove the brake caliper, remove the brake bracket, remove the rotor, undo the 4 bolts that hold the HUB onto the knuckle (the 4 bolts are located BEHIND the HUB, so you have to get it from the back (should be 4 15mm bolts, and you will need an extension to get to them). Remove the ABS sensor (the 2 top hub bolts hold it in).

Once the 4 hub bolts out (sometimes you have to turn the steering wheel to get to the bolts), you can just use a prybar to release the axle from the transmission, and remove the axle, and hub as a complete unit.

If you don't get new hubs, you will need a big socket (I think 24mm) to remove the axle nut, and a 2 jaw puller to press the axle out of the hub).

All in all, it only takes me 30-45 minutes per side, but I have done this a lot of times. If you are a total newbie, give yourself a couple of hours per side.

All in all, it is not too difficult to do.

As for the AC compressor, I have not had one lock up on me, but if you want to replace it for peace of mind, go ahead. It is not too difficult to do yourself, and if you don't want the hassle of charging the system, you can pay a shop to do that part of it. Swapping the compressor out is not that bad.