Next step in rear axle project..
 

I'm replacing a rear axle. As you can see in some of the pictures, the rod has twisted and broken. I have removed the small metric hex bolt that lays inbetween a couple of the lug nut holes. But I cant figure out what next to do in order to access the axle to remove it. Please offer any help, I know this is an easy one, I'm just trying to do this in the corrent order. Thanks

Everything is coming off fine, but what tool is needed to take off that center red bolt? it seems to be the only thing holding the axle assemby to the roter. thanks

That's the axle nut
 

It's torqued on pretty good (ca. 200 ft-lbs), so I don't know how easy it will be to loosen since you'll need to hold the end of the broken axle to keep it from turning with the nut.

It might be easier to remove the wheel carrier from the different links in order to clamp the broken shaft while turning the nut. If you still can't get it off, you'll probably need to cut it with a grinding wheel.

Also, your rotor should come off now
 

Some penetrating oil and a few mallet whacks may help coax it off. The parking brake needs to be off to remove the rotor.

Roter is now off , and so it parking brake. learned with a little elbow grease and a big hammer. Now how to remove the retaining bolts with that back shroud still connected? unless you know how to remove the shroud before removing the red nut. Any ideas ? also what size nut connects the axle to the differential, and how many? thanks a ton

I don't know offhand what size the 12-point nut is.
You can't remove the hub flange or the dust shield without removing the axle nut first. The hub flange is a press fit in the wheel bearing
Since you're own there, and the job is such a pain , you should think about having the rear wheel bearing replaced at the same time. The parts run about $60 online, and yiou should be able to find a shop to press it in/out of the wheel carrier for you.

Thanks billybob and everyone else. I got the nut off and have parts on order. Another project coming to completion. thanks a ton guys