I just did both front axles on my car this week.
I tore my front end right down.You don't necessarilly have to,but it's what I did. It's fairly easy to do and put back together. I did it myself,with a bit of help from a mechanic,and it was the first time I'd tackled a job like that.
First of all,get your wheel off,and remove the brake caliper and rotor. Don't let the caliper hang loose,it can damage the brake line,so hang it up from the strut with a piece of wire or something. Now you're down to the bare hub.
Get a pickle fork and a mallot and pop off the tie rod after taking out the cotter pin and unbolting it. It should come out very easily.
I had to take off my lower balljoint,and on the bottom of the control arm,there are 3 bolts which hold it on. Unbolt them,and then get a long screwdriver or pry bar in between the balljoint and control arm and pry until it comes apart. It can be a bit of a hassle,but it'll come.
After that's off,you can now unbolt the hub from the strut. One 18mm bolt holds the hub to the strut,so once you get that off,hammer on the hub and fiddle with it until it comes off. Turning the wheel to the left may help,and you can pull the cv joint out of the hub. Once that's out,all you have to do now is pop it out of the tranny. Tranny fluid will probably start leaking out,so have some rags ready.
Put the new shaft in,and reassemble everything. Took about 2 and a half hours just for one side.
I definetly suggest finding a second set of hands to help you out. Good luck!
