Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints: Service and Repair

1. Remove wheel center cap.
2. Remove claulking, driveshaft nut and washer.
3. Raise and support vehicle.
4. Remove wheel and tire assembly.
5. Drain transaxle fluid.
6. Pry inboard driveshaft from transaxle using a large screwdriver or equivalent.
7. Remove lower ball joint retaining nut, then separate suspension arm from steering knuckle.
8. Remove drive axle assembly from transaxle, then from steering knuckle.
9. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Clean front wheel bearing seal, then apply grease to seal.
b. Check seal for breakage or deterioration, replace if necessary.
c. Apply sealant to drain plug for manual transaxle.
d. Install the wheel side joint to the steering knuckle, then the differential-side joint to the transaxle. Push drive axle into transaxle by hand until snap ring is seated in spline. Torque hub nut to 129 lb ft and ball joint stud bolt to 44 lb ft