Axle Shaft Assembly: Service and Repair

Removal Procedure

^ Tools Required
- J24319-B Steering Linkage and Tie Rod Puller

Caution: To prevent personal injury and/or component damage, do not allow the weight of the vehicle to load the front wheels, or attempt to operate the vehicle, when the wheel drive shaft(s) or wheel drive shaft nut(s) are removed. To do so may cause the inner bearing race to separate, resulting in damage to brake and suspension components and loss of vehicle control.

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Wheels, Tires and Alignment.





3. Remove the 6 bolts and the splash shield (1).





4. Remove the 1 bolt (2) and the ABS speed sensor (3) (if equipped) from the steering knuckle.





5. Remove the cotter pin (3) and the lock cap (2) from the wheel drive shaft.





6. Insert a nonferrous drift (1) through the caliper opening into the rotor fins in order to prevent the rotor from turning.
7. Remove the wheel drive shaft nut.
8. Remove the cotter pin and nut from the tie rod end.





9. Remove the tie rod end from the steering knuckle using the J24319-B.





10. Remove 1 bolt (1) and 2 nuts (2) from the ball joint (3).
11. Separate the ball joint (3) from the control arm.

Notice: Do not overextend the wheel drive shaft. Allowing the inboard joint to overextend can cause separation of the internal components and lead to joint failure.

Notice: When servicing the hub assembly, be careful not to damage the ABS components. If any of the ABS components are damaged, the ABS system may not function properly and the damaged component will need to be replaced.





12. Remove the outer joint (1) from the steering knuckle (2).





13. Remove the left side inner joint by gently prying the inner joint housing (2) away from and out of the transaxle.





14. Remove the right side inner joint by gently prying the inner joint housing away from and out of the transaxle.
15. Inspect the following for damage or wear:
^ The boots
^ The joints
^ The front wheel bearing oil seals
^ The wheel drive shaft oil seal at the transaxle

16. Replace components as necessary.

Installation Procedure
1. Lubricate the wheel drive shaft splines in order to ensure easy assembly.
2. Lubricate the seal surfaces in order to protect the seal surfaces from cuts during assembly.

Important: Use only enough force necessary to seat the inner joint into the transaxle.

3. Install the inner joint into the transaxle.

Important: Verify that the inner joint is seated by grasping the inner joint housing and pulling outward.





4. Install the steering knuckle (2) to the outer joint.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.





5. Install the ball joint to the control arm. Secure with 1 bolt (1) and 2 nuts (2).
^ Tighten the bolt and 2 nuts to 142 Nm (105 ft. lbs.).
6. Install the tie rod end to the steering knuckle.
^ Tighten the tie rod end nut to 49 Nm (36 ft. lbs.).
7. Install a new cotter pin to the tie rod end.





8. Insert a nonferrous drift (1) through the caliper opening into the rotor fins in order to prevent the rotor from turning.
9. Install the wheel drive shaft nut.
^ Tighten the nut to 225 Nm (166 ft. lbs.).





10. Install the lock cap (2) onto the wheel drive shaft and secure with a new cotter pin (3).





11. Install the ABS speed sensor (3) (if equipped).
^ Tighten the ABS speed sensor bolt (2) to 8 Nm (71 inch lbs.)





12. Install the splash shield (1) with 6 bolts.
^ Tighten the splash shield bolts to 8 Nm (71 inch lbs.)
13. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Wheels, Tires and Alignment.
14. Lower the vehicle.
15. Inspect the Toe-In adjustment and adjust as necessary. Refer to Front Toe Adjustment in Steering and Suspension.