Does the axle need to be pressed on?

yes as long as they off the same differential number or same engine code.

Pull the axle ,and inspect the lock clip ,replacement of it ,maybe needed

Did you grease the snap ring?

the axle hold the transmission fluid in

to remove the axle all componets of the braking system has to be removed

well not sure what you mean by one piece assm. becuase all front wheel drive cars require one shaft and two c/v joints on either end.

but i think i have a hunch of the problem and them most common cause for failure after a replacement is over tighting of the axle nut. what happens is it crush's the bearing and cut's it's life.

Sometimes the axles on these do hang up. The best way to remove these is to take 2 pry bars to place on either side and very sharply, pull quickly and the axle should break free. You should feel it pop. Do not pull on the other end of the axle. It can disconnect the joint from the inside and the you have to remove the clamp and reset the joint.

Probably cv joint they will start that way when on the straight away you wont hear it but on the turn you will means that the bearings in the cv joint are bad check this out and let me know also please rate my assistance if it was helpful thank you.

the rear hub is an assembly with the bearing. It's one piece! 50 bucks or so at any parts store. take off the axle nut, bearing/hub assembly slide right off and on. replace axle nut, done.

jack up the vehicle on the frame or on the body lip not on the front suspension take the lower ball joint loose and remove the axle nut and push the axle out of the knuckle and tie the knuckle up out of the way then you can take a pry bar and pry the axle out of the transmission being careful not to damage the seal. then reinstall new axle in reverse order