Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints: Service Precautions

Drive axles

Notes: The drive axle/wheel hub splines and-the 12 - point nut are secured with locking fluid.
- Load bearing components or parts of the suspension must not be welded or straightened.
- Bonded rubber mountings can only be turned to a limited extent. The bolted connections on the suspension links should therefore only be tightened when the vehicle is standing on the ground.
- The wheel bearings must not be loaded when the 12 - point nuts are loose.
- The wheel bearings will be damaged if they have to support the weight of the vehicle in this condition. This will reduce the service life of the bearings. Please keep to the following procedure.
- Lift vehicle until the load on the front axle is relieved.
- Loosen 12 - point nut.
Do not attempt to move a vehicle when the drive axle has been removed as this will result in wheel bearing damage. If the vehicle does have to be moved, always note the following points:
- Install an outer joint in place of the drive axle.
- Tighten the outer joint to 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.).