Axle Shaft Assembly: Service and Repair

Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - Front

^ Tools Required
- J 2619-O1 Slide Hammer
- J 29794 Axle Shaft Remover Extension
- J 33008-A Axle Shaft Puller
- J 42129Wheel Hub Remover

Removal Procedure





1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
3. Remove the engine splash shield. Refer to Splash Shield Replacement - Engine.
4. Insert a drift or punch (1) through the brake caliper and into the brake rotor in order to prevent the wheel hub and bearing from turning.
5. Remove the wheel drive shaft spindle nut (2).
6. Remove the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (FWD) Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (AWD).
7. Disconnect the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle; do NOT loosen the tie rod end jam nut. Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement.
8. Disconnect the electrical connector from the wheel speed sensor and reposition the wiring harness away from the ball joint.
9. Disconnect the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement.
10. Install the J 42129 onto the wheel hub and secure with wheel nuts.

Important:
Be sure to support the wheel drive shaft until it is fully removed from the vehicle.

11. Using the J 42129, disengage the wheel drive shaft from the wheel hub and bearing.





12. Assemble the J 33008-A, the J 29794, and the J 2619-O1.
13. Using the J 33008-A, the J 29794, and the J 2619-O1, disengage the wheel drive shaft from the transaxle.
14. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure





1. Install the wheel drive shaft to the transaxle.
2. Verify that the wheel drive shaft is properly engaged to the transaxle by grasping the inner tripot housing and pulling outward. Do not pull on the wheel drive shaft bar. The wheel drive shaft will remain firmly in place when properly engaged.





3. Install the wheel drive shaft to the hub and bearing (2).
4. Connect the ball joint to the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement.
5. Connect the wheel speed sensor electrical connector.
6. Install the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (FWD) Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (AWD).





7. Insert a drift or punch (1) through the brake caliper and into the brake rotor in order to prevent the hub and bearing from turning.

8. Notice:
Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

Install the nut to the wheel drive shaft spindle.

Tighten the nut to 160 Nm (118 ft. lbs.).

9. Connect the outer tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement.
10. Install the engine splash shield. Refer to Splash Shield Replacement - Engine.
11. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
12. Lower the vehicle.