Axle Shaft Assembly: Service and Repair
Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement- Tools Required
- J 2619-01 Slide Hammer
- J 29794 Axle Shaft Remover Extension
- J 33008-A Axle Shaft Remover
- J 42729 Hub Spindle Remover
Removal Procedure
1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
3. Remove the stabilizer link.
4. Remove the wheel drive shaft nut (2). Insert a drift (1) or a flat-bladed tool into the caliper and the rotor to prevent the rotor from turning.
5. Disconnect the other tie rod assembly from the knuckle.
Important: Be sure that the wheel speed sensor wiring harness is repositioned away from the ball joint after disconnecting the electrical connector from the sensor.
6. Disconnect the electrical connector from the wheel speed sensor and reposition the wiring harness away from the ball joint.
7. Remove the ball joint from the steering knuckle.
8. Separate the front wheel drive axle from the front wheel hub using the J 42129. The nut can be partially reinstalled to protect the threads.
Important: Be sure to bottom out the threads as much as possible while assembling the J 2619-O1 the J 33008-A and the J 29794.
9. Assemble the J2619-01 the J33008-A and the J29794.
10. Use the J2619-01, the J33008-A and the J 29794 to separate the wheel drive shaft from the transaxle.
11. Remove the axle shaft from the transaxle.
Installation Procedure
1. Install the axle shaft (2) to the transaxle (1).
2. Verify that the wheel drive shaft is properly engaged:
- Grasp the inner tripod housing and pull the inner housing outward. Do not pull on the wheel drive axle shaft.
- The wheel drive shaft will remain firmly in place when properly engaged.
3. Install the wheel drive shaft (1) to the steering knuckle (2).
4. Connect the ball joint to the steering knuckle.
5. Connect the electrical connector to the wheel speed sensor.
6. Connect the outer tie rod assembly to the steering knuckle.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precaution.
This article has been updated with TSB 03-04-18-001.
NEW FRONT DRIVE AXLE NUT
Use the new nut, P/N 10289657, whenever the front drive axle nut is removed. This new nut is a torque prevailing nut and is silver in color. The old nut is black in color and has a sheet metal cage around the nut (shown below). Using the new nut will provide a more consistent clamp load on the wheel bearing and should help prolong the bearing life.
NOTICE: Use the correct tightening specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
New Style Nut:
NOTE: The nut shown is a torque prevailing nut and is silver colored.
Tighten the new style nut to 235 Nm (173 lb ft).
Old Style Nut:
NOTE: The old style nut shown is black and has a sheet metal cage around the nut.
The old style nut torque was 385 Nm (284 lb ft).
IMPORTANT: Some front wheel hub kits may have the old style nut included in the kit. Discard the old nut and use the new nut, P/N 10289657.
7. Install the wheel drive shaft nut (2) to the axle shaft.
- Tighten the new style nut to 235 Nm (173 lb ft)..
8. Connect the stabilizer shaft link.
9. Install the tire and wheel assembly.
10. Lower the vehicle.
11. Inspect the transaxle fluid level.