You can find instructions on the removal of the front axle in every VW bus workshop manual. Disassembly of the entire front axle seems to be a less described topic. Below you will find some tips and tricks from my personal experience.
First of all, make sure that the bus is supported either by putting the bus on a trolley or using axle supports underneath the chassis beams.
CAUTION! Verify that you have removed all items mentioned below before lowering the front axle:
Shock absorbers
Brake hoses
Steering arm joint to steering box
Gear shifter rod
Handbrake cables
Use a jack to support the front axle at the middle. Loosen the four bolts that attach the font axle to the chassis (both left and right). Slowly lower the axle using the jack. Two extra persons at each side of the axle really make this a much easier job.
Start disassembling the front axle working outside in: remove the drum brakes and brake assembly. Note that the nuts on the left axle need to be loosened by turning them counter clockwise; the left axle has reversed thread.
Remove the spindles and arms, use plenty of penetrating oil to loosen the rusted nuts and bolts. If prepared well it should not require too much effort. After you have removed the spindles and arms, you have a good view on the torsion leaf springs. Do not be afraid to remove them, they do not require to be refitted in the same way and they do not have a fixed torsion direction. No need to mark any of them.
Clean the rust from the axle using metal brushes and multi layer disks. The entire procedure includes:
Application of a rust converter
Metal primer
Spray filler to smoothen
Black paint for the looks of it
Assemble the front axle in the reverse order of disassembly and replace all the greasing nipples (total investment of Euro 3.58). Pump the grease through the grease nipples until plenty of grease has come out at the joints. If you can feel there is still play, apply grease until all clearance is gone.
