1988 4x4 cv shaft question

[bad71gmc]

I have a 1988 4x4 and need to replace the front cv halfshaft and was wondering if I need to loosen the steering knuckle from the upper ball joint as advised in the Haynes manual or can I bypass all that work and unbolt the 6 bolts at the differencial and remove the axle shaft bolt and work it out without taking the whole front suspension apart?
Thanks

[1tonswb]

You dont need to unbolt the knuckle from the a-arms. You will need to remove the shocks and the swaybar endlinks to get the shaft out. Also the skid plates to unbolt the shaft from the diff.