Front Axle Service

CAUTION: Boot sealing is vital to retain special lubricant and to prevent foreign contaminants from entering the CIV joint Mishandling, such as allowing the assemblies to dangle unsupported, pulling, or pushing the ends, can cut boots or damage CV joints. During removal or installation procedures, always support both ends of the driveshaft to prevent damage.

Removal

1. Raise vehicle to a comfortable height and remove skid plate.






2. Remove cotter pin, nut lock, and spring washer.






3. Loosen hub nut while the vehicle is on the floor with the brakes applied. The hub and driveshaft are splined together through the knuckle (bearing) and retained by the hub nut.

4. Raise vehicle.

5. Remove hub nut, washer, and wheel and tire assembly.

6. Remove six mounting screws from the inner C/V joint flange.

7. Support assembly at C/V joint housings and separate from hub by pulling on the outer C/V joint.

Installation

1. Install driveshaft through hub. Attach inner C/V joint flange to axle shaft flange and tighten screws to 65 ft. lbs. (90 Nm).

2. Install washer and hub nut after cleaning foreign matter from threads.






3. With brakes applied, tighten to 190 ft. lbs. (258 Nm).






4. Install spring washer, nut lock, and new cotter pin. Wrap cotter pin prongs tightly around nut lock.

5. Install wheel and tire assembly. Tighten wheel nuts to 95 ft. lbs. (129 Nm).