Unfortunately,you must drop the transaxle assembly out the bottom or you cant get the left and right side axle tubes off.It isnt a hard job,just takes a while to remove rear fender assy,gas tank and get the transaxle loose enough to get the axle tubes off.Basicly you must get transaxle loose and then jack up the tractor to get tubes off.The transaxle assy. is basicly held in tractor by the bolts that hold the axle tubes on. Hope this helps,Eddie