Have a Factory Manual, a 1984 Eldo 4.1 auto FWD, and a RH half axle with broken outer rubber boot. As I read it, Manual says I must disassemble the ball joint and install temp boot straps in order to drop the RH axle. Do you really have to do this ??

I ask because I've done half axles on other cars, and usually the RH unit was more difficult. Factory Manuals often said front end parts must be disassembled but it turned-out it was just a matter of turning the wheel in a certain direction and juggling the axle unit in a certain way.

 

Guess I (and receipt of my new FM) answered my own question. After studying the right front wheel assembly I see all the drive and suspension components crammed into that small space. As well, grinding off the rivets to remove the ball joint sounds challenging. Think I'll bite the bullet and have someone do the job.