Got the axle back in with a few minor hiccups. I had hoped to re-fill the transmission oil through the axle hole before installing the axle. No dice...just dribbled in real slow and started running out again so I guess it’s just feeding the bearing there so not much flow down into the case. Will have to try accessing fill plug or the upper shift lever detent spring ball to fill. Don’t let me forget!! :)
When trying to reinstall the steering tie rod end, I couldn’t get the nut started. Turns out the end of the stud has an internal Allen key to counter-hold the stud while tightening the nut, but for whatever reason the thin metal around the Allen key hole had cracked and enlarged the thread diameter (possibly when I used the ball joint tool to remove the joint?), making the nut hard to get on. I was able to file it down a bit to get the nut started, then used the floor jack under the ball joint to prevent the stud from turning. Used the impact wrench to spin the nut on quickly and torqued up all OK.
Also decided to drain and fill the coolant as it’s been a touch over 5 years since I last did it.
Should be good to go for another few years hopefully with only oil and filter changes. Probably will need to replace the rotors at some stage. Pads are hardly worn and were new when we got the car, but looks like original rotors...130,xxx km so not bad.
