Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints: Service and Repair

1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Raise and support vehicle.
3. Drain transaxle fluid.
4. Remove wheel assembly.
5. Unstake hub nut, then remove nut.
6. Remove tie rod end from steering knuckle.
7. Disconnect lower control arm from steering knuckle.
8. Remove drive axle from hub assembly, using a plastic hammer.
9. Remove drive axle assembly from transaxle, using slide hammer (Tool No. J 2619-01) and axle shaft puller (Tool No. J 35762).
10. Remove drive axle from vehicle.
11. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Torque lower control arm bolts to 105 lb ft on 1990 models and 115 lb ft on 1991 models.
b. Torque tie rod end to 36 lb ft on 1990 models and 40 lb ft on 1991 models.
c. Torque hub nut to 137 lb ft, then stake nut.