I am in the middle of replacing my front drivers hub and wheel bearing, everything has gone tremendously smooth besides the four 13mm bolts that hold the hub to the carrier. I cannot for the life of me get anything behind there to loosen these bolts. Ive tried a regular 13mm socket, a 13mm wrench, a swivel joint 13mm. I just can NOT get to these bolts, the boot of the axel is whats in the way. According to other threads I have read no one else seems to be having the same problem. Maybe I'm missing something. Any suggestions would be beyond appreciated!

Picture for reference,

Seperating part #5 from part #7. The bolts I'm referring to are part #8.

 

Youve already removed the lower ball joint to free up the spindle and removed the axle shaft from the hub? If you can sneak the axle shaft out of the hub you'll have all the room you should need. If youve got the brake caliper and rotor off with both front wheels off the ground turn the steering wheel all the way to one side or another. Then try to sneak out the axle shaft outer joint toward the engine. Another option may be to remove lower ball joint as well as tie rod ball joint to the knuckle to give you more freedom to move the knuckle around more to try to get that shat outta there.

Takes some muscle but it should work.

 

I have not removed the lower ball joint, a few other threads that I read said that this wasn't necessary. The brake caliper and the rotor are off and away from the hub so they are not in the way. Also, I have both front wheels off of the ground.

 

Just talked to a local who has a mini and has done the work himself, told me to drop the lower ball joint. Same thing you told me. Ill have to give that a go when I get home from work today. Thanks for your input!