This is probably old news to most of you, but hopefully it helps someone out. When I was up for this job and researching tips and articles, a lot of the DIY/writeups consisted of removing tie-rod end links, control arms ball joints, etc. Stuff that, in theory, would make the job easy, but also require ball joint pullers and a post installation alignment (easy on a lift in a shop, not so much on the trail or even in a garage for DIYer).
I did find one writeup which was really easy and I based my own installation from that article and filmed it for the community below.
For those who like writeups it's essentially this:
1)Remove skid plates
2) Remove tire
3) Pry off dust cover over axle nut with screw driver. Use pliers to press out cotter pin, take care if you are reusing the pin.
4) Remove 17mm sway bar end link from spindle. (52 Ft*lbs)
5) Loosen 35mm axle nut with impact gun (173 ft*lbs)
6) using castle nut to protect the threads, whack axle nut with mallet to loosen it from the hub
7) Remove 19mm nuts from the bottom of lower control arm (166 ft*lbs)
8) Swing hub out of the way to free outboard end of the axle
9) place bucket or tray under the inboard end of the CV to catch diff oil.
10) Using a crowbar or long screwdriver, hammer back of inboard CV axle repeatedly until circlip frees itself and axle can be removed
Installation
11) Grease inboard spindle and install with circlip opening facing up. Hand press as far as possible then using care not to damage the dust seal or boot, hammer the inboard end until it seats in the diff.
12) Grease outboard spindle and thread into hub
13) reinstall and torque 19mm bolts on lower control arm.
14) reinstall 17mm bolts on sway bar end link
15) Reinstall and torque 35mm castle nut. You may need to over-tighten slightly to line up the castle grooves to install the cotter pin.
16) reinstall cotter pin
17) install dust cover
18) add 75w90 diff oil to the front diff (55 torx, it's tight as hades....good luck. I had to kick the wrench to loosen it. It surprisingly took 600ml of gear oil to top off)
19) reinstall wheel
20) reinstall skid plates
Video of my installation (notice at first the brake caliper is removed....that was based off of another DIY video and is unnecessary on the GX. It actually makes it harder):
I did find one writeup which was really easy and I based my own installation from that article and filmed it for the community below.
For those who like writeups it's essentially this:
1)Remove skid plates
2) Remove tire
3) Pry off dust cover over axle nut with screw driver. Use pliers to press out cotter pin, take care if you are reusing the pin.
4) Remove 17mm sway bar end link from spindle. (52 Ft*lbs)
5) Loosen 35mm axle nut with impact gun (173 ft*lbs)
6) using castle nut to protect the threads, whack axle nut with mallet to loosen it from the hub
7) Remove 19mm nuts from the bottom of lower control arm (166 ft*lbs)
8) Swing hub out of the way to free outboard end of the axle
9) place bucket or tray under the inboard end of the CV to catch diff oil.
10) Using a crowbar or long screwdriver, hammer back of inboard CV axle repeatedly until circlip frees itself and axle can be removed
Installation
11) Grease inboard spindle and install with circlip opening facing up. Hand press as far as possible then using care not to damage the dust seal or boot, hammer the inboard end until it seats in the diff.
12) Grease outboard spindle and thread into hub
13) reinstall and torque 19mm bolts on lower control arm.
14) reinstall 17mm bolts on sway bar end link
15) Reinstall and torque 35mm castle nut. You may need to over-tighten slightly to line up the castle grooves to install the cotter pin.
16) reinstall cotter pin
17) install dust cover
18) add 75w90 diff oil to the front diff (55 torx, it's tight as hades....good luck. I had to kick the wrench to loosen it. It surprisingly took 600ml of gear oil to top off)
19) reinstall wheel
20) reinstall skid plates
Video of my installation (notice at first the brake caliper is removed....that was based off of another DIY video and is unnecessary on the GX. It actually makes it harder):