Civic EG

how do you take them off!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Honda Tech has a very complete DIY with pictures.
http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=382416

although it makes it sound way easier than it is... I bent my breaker and didn't get the 32mm loose on mine (but I just needed to get it out of the tranny so left the 32mm alone in the end) and if your not careful with the ball joint that will mess up easy, mines now loose as it didnt tighten back up all the way it just spun loads.

in hindsight if id I used an impact none of this would have been an issue I suspect

I have changed out half shafts without removing the tie rod ends before.
Just have to remove all the lower control arm nuts and bolts with 17mm heads. I believe there are three on the control arm and the long bolt and nut on the bottom of the strut.
Yes, an impact wrench makes it much easier.
A 1 1/4" socket will fit the 32mm axle nut fine.

surely you wouldnt touch the tie rod ends anyway??

You are correct, it is not the tie rod end, it is the castle nut shown in pictures 7 - 9 of the Honda Tech link. Those do not have to be removed to remove the axle. After removing the lower control arms the disk can swing out enough to allow the axle to be removed.

ah, I wish I knew that before I did mine

Damn so after reading the HT article. damn we really have to replace the crush washer for the drain bolt??.. if not then the tranny will leak continuously..?

Its better to replace it, while you are at it.
When I went to the Honda stealership to buy the tranny fluid, the guy in the front desk gave me the washer for free
So just ask them, they might give it to you too.