Axle Shaft Assembly: Service and Repair

Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement


Tools Required
* J 2619-O1 Slide Hammer
* J 29794 Extension
* J 42128 Axle Shaft Remover
* J 42129 Rear Hub Spindle Remover



Removal Procedure





1. Raise and suitably 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) .
3. Insert a drift or punch into the brake rotor cooling fins and against the brake caliper to prevent the wheel hub and bearing from turning.
4. Remove the spindle nut retaining the rear wheel drive shaft to the hub.
5. Remove the drift or punch.





Important: Do not loosen the outer tie rod jam nut.


6. Separate the outer tie rod end from the knuckle and reposition the tie rod toward the rear of the vehicle. Refer to Tie Rod Replacement (Inner) (Tie Rod Replacement (Inner))Tie Rod Replacement (Outer) (Tie Rod Replacement (Outer)) .




7. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor electrical connector.
8. Remove the parking brake cable from the bracket.
9. Disconnect the parking brake cable from the parking brake lever and reposition the cable toward the rear.




10. Remove the parking brake cable from the bracket and reposition toward the rear.




11. Install J 42129 onto the wheel hub and secure with wheel nuts.
12. Begin to disengage the drive shaft from the wheel hub and bearing.
13. Remove the lower shock nut and bolt.
14. Separate the upper ball joint from the suspension knuckle. Refer to Rear Axle Upper Control Arm Replacement (Rear Axle Upper Control Arm Replacement) .
15. Disengage the drive shaft completely from the wheel hub and bearing.





Important: Be sure to support the drive shaft until it is removed.


16. Support the drive shaft.
17. Support the suspension knuckle and upper control arm and reposition the knuckle toward the front of the vehicle.
18. Assemble the J 42128 , J 29794 , and J 2619-O1 .
19. Install the J 42128 evenly onto the rear beveled surface of the drive shaft inner joint housing.




20. Disengage the drive shaft from the rear axle differential using the J 42128 , J 29794 , and J 2619-O1 , then remove the tool assembly.




21. Remove the drive shaft from the vehicle.
22. Remove J 42129 from the wheel hub.



Installation Procedure

1. Clean and inspect the journal on the axle shaft prior to installation.





Important: Be sure to support the drive shaft until it is completely installed.


2. Position the drive shaft to the rear axle differential output shaft.

Important: Use care not to damage the rear axle differential output shaft seal.


3. Carefully align and guide the drive shaft onto the differential output shaft.
4. Engage the drive shaft fully onto the differential output shaft using light force.
5. Check to be certain that the drive shaft is fully seated on the differential output shaft.
6. Align and carefully guide the drive shaft into the wheel hub and bearing .
7. Connect the upper ball joint to the suspension knuckle. Refer to Rear Axle Upper Control Arm Replacement (Rear Axle Upper Control Arm Replacement) .

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice (Fastener Notice) .

8. Install the lower shock bolt and nut.

Tighten the shock nut to 145 N.m (107 lb ft).





9. Connect the parking brake cable to the parking brake lever.
10. Install the parking brake cable into the bracket.
11. Connect the wheel speed sensor electrical connector.




12. Connect the outer tie rod end to the suspension knuckle. Refer to Tie Rod Replacement (Inner) (Tie Rod Replacement (Inner))Tie Rod Replacement (Outer) (Tie Rod Replacement (Outer)) .




13. Insert a drift or punch into the brake rotor cooling fins and against the caliper to prevent the wheel hub and bearing from turning.
14. Begin to install the drive shaft retaining nut onto the drive shaft by hand.
15. Slowly tighten the nut to draw the drive shaft to the wheel hub and bearing.

Tighten the drive axle spindle nut to 160 N.m (118 lb ft).

16. Remove the drift or punch.
17. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair) .
18. Lower the vehicle.