Hi all. This is my second post but I thought I'd share my experience with redoing the front end on my 2005 LR3 HSE and also ask for some input on a couple of things. I'm stuck on the left front cv axle.

Work includes:
Lower control arms with ball joint pre-installed
Upper ball joint
Inner and outer tie rods
Hub/bearings
Sway bar links
Sway bar bushings
Left front cv axle
Wiper fluid reservoir
Break pads and fluid flush
Front diff oil change

So most of it was pretty straight forward. The wheels were seized on pretty good but I slightly loosened all the lug nuts and drove around my driveway in circles, forward and reverse, braking periodically till I heard both sides pop. Lower control arms were a pain but well documented so no surprises. The ball joints popped out easily with a 3 lb hammer. I cut the stem off the upper ball joint with an angle grinder then pressed out of the control arm. The hub came off relatively easy after breaking the bolts free with a 24", 1/2" drive breaker bar. I then gave it quite a few hits with the previously mentioned 3 lb hammer. I took off the fender cover, headlights, and the front bumper cover to get to the wiper fluid tank. There are 4 bolts that hold it on. I'm going to try marine sealant as another youtuber suggested on his MB.

As I said, most of it was pretty straight forward but now I'm stuck on the cv axle. I've tried a few things but no luck. I just ordered a pickle fork set as suggested in other forum but now have to wait a couple of days till they get here. Does anyone else have any other suggestions I can try in the mean time? Also, should the pry bars be under the part that covers the diff or just before it on the big block? I've tried both with no luck but might help if know I'm doing it right.

I also noticed a part just hanging behind the wiper fluid tank. It turns out to be a TPMS antenna (I think). The electronics for the fog lights were the same, just hanging in the bumper cover. Could someone tell me where these should be mounted?

Thanks in advance for any help. I'll try to do a full write up with pictures, if I ever get the cv axle off. If anyone needs any specific info, feel free to ask.

 

We drilled the tulip, dropped a pin through it, hooked a recovery strap to it tensioned it with a toyota tacoma and smacked it with the 3lb hammer. Came right out