Removal

REMOVAL

CAUTION: Never grasp halfshaft assembly by the inner or outer boots. Doing so may cause the boot to pucker or crease, reducing the service life of the boot and joint. Avoid over angulating or stroking the C/V joints when handling the halfshaft.





1. With vehicle in neutral, position and raise vehicle on hoist.
2. Using 14mm hex, remove axle drain plug (1) and drain rear axle fluid into container suitable for fluid reuse.
3. Install drain plug (1) and torque to 35 Nm (26 ft. lbs.) torque.

CAUTION: Remove axle vent tube prior to removing axle. Failure to remove vent tube will allow axle fluid to saturate the vent and cause reduced or improper axle venting resulting in axle damage.

4. Remove axle vent tube.





5. Remove rear exhaust system nuts (1).





6. Apply alignment index marks (3) to the propeller shaft rubber coupler (1) and axle flange (2).
7. Remove propeller shaft coupler (1)-to-axle flange (2) bolt/nuts.





8. Remove the rear caliper and secure. Disc Brake Caliper - Removal.
9. Remove the halfshaft nut.
10. Remove the wheel speed sensor bolt (3) and remove the speed sensor.
11. Remove the toe link nut and bolt (4)
12. Remove the tension link nut and bolt (1).
13. Remove the camber link nut and bolt (2).





14. Swing rear knuckle outward as shown.
15. Remove the halfshaft from the hub.





16. Using a hammer or similar tool (1) as a pivot point and a suitable screwdriver (2), or using the grove on the outer can of the CV joint, carefully disengage both halfshafts (3) from axle assembly using care not to damage dust seal.
17. Carefully remove the right halfshaft from the axle assembly. Use caution to protect axle seal and journal.





18. Position transmission jack (1) to rear axle assembly.





19. Remove rear axle forward mount isolator bolt/nut (1).





20. Remove two rear axle-to-crossmember bolts (1).
21. Carefully lower rear axle. While lowering axle, separate propeller shaft from axle and support with suitable rope or wire.





22. Lower axle just enough to remove the left halfshaft. Use caution to protect axle seal and journal.
23. Remove axle assembly from vehicle and transfer to bench.