Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints: Service and Repair

1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Raise and support vehicle.
3. Drain transaxle fluid.
4. Remove hub nut cap, then cotter pin, hub nut and washer.
5. Remove tie rod end from steering knuckle.
6. Remove brake caliper from steering knuckle.
7. Disconnect control arm from steering knuckle.
8. Remove brake rotor.
9. Remove drive axle from hub assembly using a plastic hammer. If shaft is difficult to remove, use crankshaft gear puller (Tool No. J 25287) or equivalent.
10. Remove drive axle assembly from transaxle using slide hammer (Tool No. J 6125-1B) and axle shaft puller (Tool No. J 35762).
11. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Install drive axle in transaxle first, then hub assembly.
b. Torque lower control arm bolts to 105 lb ft
c. Torque tie rod end nut to 36 lb ft
d. Torque brake caliper mounting bolts to 65 lb ft
e. Torque drive axle hub nut to 137 lb ft