Axle Shaft Assembly: Service and Repair
Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement
Special Tools
* J 2619-O1 Slide Hammer With Adapter
* J 29794 Extension
* J 33008-A Wheel Drive Shaft Remover
* J 42129 Wheel Hub Remover
Removal Procedure
1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
Note: Do NOT loosen the tie rod end jam nut.
3. Disconnect the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement (Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement).
4. Insert a drift or punch (1) into the brake rotor and against the brake caliper in order to prevent the wheel hub and bearing from turning.
Note: The wheel drive shaft spindle nut must not be reused. Replace the wheel drive shaft spindle nut with a new nut whenever it is removed.
5. Remove and discard the wheel drive shaft spindle nut (2) retaining the wheel drive shaft to the hub.
6. Remove the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (Front Suspension).
Note: Be sure that the wheel speed sensor wiring harness is repositioned away from the ball joint after disconnecting the electrical connector from the sensor.
7. Disconnect the electrical connector from the wheel speed sensor and reposition the wiring harness away from the ball joint.
8. Disconnect the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement (Front Suspension).
9. Install the J 42129 onto the wheel hub and secure with wheel nuts.
Note: Be sure to support the wheel drive shaft until it is fully removed from the vehicle.
10. Using the J 42129 , disengage the wheel drive shaft from the wheel hub and bearing and support the wheel drive shaft.
11. Assemble the J 2619-O1 , the J 29794 , and the J 33008-A .
12. Using the J 2619-O1 , the J 29794 , and the J 33008-A , disengage the wheel drive shaft (2) from the transaxle (1).
13. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the vehicle.
Installation Procedure
1. Install the wheel drive shaft (2) to the transaxle (1).
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 (Front Suspension).
5. Connect the wheel speed sensor electrical connector.
6. Install the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (Rear Suspension).
7. Insert a drift or punch (1) into the rotor and against the caliper in order to prevent the hub and bearing from turning.
Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).
8. Install a new wheel drive shaft spindle nut to the wheel drive shaft.
Tighten the wheel drive shaft spindle nut to 160 Nm (118 lb ft).
9. Connect the outer tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement (Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement).
10. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
11. Lower the vehicle.