One thing that will make the job easier is to drop the bolts on the "outside" first… the outer cv joint will be captured by the bearing housing and will not fall. Then remove the end near the transmission and ease the axle out with no drama. 

If you have someone to apply the brakes as you proceed around each flange you will make this job a lot less laborious. 

Him

> On May 25, 2014, at 11:41 PM, Jim Arnott <jrasite@EONI.COM> wrote:
> 
> Broke the axle? Or had a CV joint fail?  Either way, you can R&R it.  You’ll need nirtile gloves, 4 freezer bags to contain the grease, (you put them over the joint after you take it loose), a 6 mm Allen wrench socket or 6 mm XZN (aka triple square) socket (depending on which fasteners you have) to remove the CV bolts, a 6” socket extension and ratchet and a jackstand to hold the corner of the bus up.  There’s really not much to it.
> 
> From the vanagonauts site: "clean the dirt, mud, grease. etc. out
> of the hex or 12-point holes with a pick or piece of wire, before trying to
> insert the appropriate tool and break torque on the fastener. I always tap
> the 6- or 12-pt bit 'home' inside the bolt recess before applying force.”
> 
> http://www.vanagonauts.com/[42.7]-Constant-Velocity-(CV)-Joints140.htm
> 
> The above is the secret to success. If you strip one out, 5” Vise-grips®  can save you.
> 
> 
> Right knows no boundaries and justice no frontiers.
> -- Learned Hand
> 
>> On May 25, 2014, at 8:57 PM, Geneva Saint-Amour <genevasaintamour@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> 
>> Today we broke the drivers side, rear axle.  We have several questions that we hope someone can assist with. (1985 Westfalia, Bostig with AW high top)1. Can we replace this ourselves (yes, mechanically handy and have general tools)?2. Should we replace both or anything else while we are in there?3. Where should we purchase a new one from?4. Details, tips, secret handshakes?Thanks,Geneva and Mike(Prescott, AZ)