Halfshaft Assembly Replacement
REMOVAL PROCEDURE- Tools Required
- J24319-01 Steering Linkage Puller
- J36605 Front Knuckle Seal Installer
- J36607 Upper Ball Joint Separator
- J29193 Steering Linkage Installer (12 mm)
1. Raise the vehicle and support it with safety stands.
2. Insert a drift or large screwdriver through the brake caliper into one of the brake rotor vanes in order to prevent the drive axle (halfshaft) from turning.
3. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
4. Remove the drive axle (halfshaft) hub nut (2) and washer (3).
5. Loosen, but do not remove, the 6 bolts (1) securing the inboard CN joint drive flange to the output shaft companion flange.
6. Wrap shop towels around both the inner and outer CN joint boots in order to avoid damage to the boots during removal and installation.
7. Remove the wheel speed sensor wire support bracket (2) from the upper control arm (1) in order to allow extra travel of the knuckle (all K-models).
8. Remove the wire and the brake line support brackets (2) from the knuckle on 8600# and heavier GVWR.
9. Remove the prevailing torque nut from the outer tie rod.
IMPORTANT: Do not reuse the nut.
10. Separate the outer tie rod ball stud from the steering knuckle. Use the J24319-01.
NOTICE: Do not disengage the joint by driving a wedge-type tool between the joint and the knuckle. This may cause seal damage.
11. Push the linkage to the opposite side of the vehicle and secure the outer tie rod up and out of the way which will provide the needed clearance in order to remove the drive axle (halfshaft).
12. Remove the lower shock mounting nut, washers, and bolt.
13. Collapse the shock absorber and secure if necessary.
14. Remove the stabilizer shaft components as follows:
14.1. Remove the stabilizer shaft bushing and bracket.
14.2. Remove the stabilizer shaft bolt, spacer, and nut assembly at the lower control arm.
15. Position the floor jack or stand behind the steering knuckle.
NOTICE: This is required on K vehicles with 8050 lb. and below GVW rating in order to provide needed clearance for drive axle (halfshaft) removal.
CAUTION: A suitable support must be placed under the lower control arm at the correct location in order to maintain torsion bar tension before servicing the wheel drive shaft. Failure to support the lower control arm at the correct location will allow the torsion bar tension to release, damaging suspension components and potentially resulting in personal injury.
16. Remove the cotter pin from the upper control arm ball joint stud.
17. Loosen (do not remove at this time) the stud nut on the upper ball joint stud.
18. Loosen the stud from the knuckle using the J36607.
19. Remove the nut.
20. Remove the stud from the knuckle.
21. Remove the knuckle assembly using a hammer and brass drift or equivalent in order to separate the outer CN joint splined shank from the knuckle hub.
IMPORTANT: Cover the shock mounting bracket and the ball stud on the lower control arm with a shop towel in order to prevent possible drive axle (halfshaft) boot damage during removal and installation.
22. Remove the six bolts (1) from the inboard joint flange.
- Support the inboard end of the drive axle (halfshaft).
- Move the knuckle and hub assembly outward in order to free the splined shank from the hub.
23. Remove the drive axle (halfshaft) from the vehicle.
24. For unit repair of the drive axle (halfshaft), refer to Drive Axle Unit Repair in Driveline/Axle.
25. Inspect the seal for cuts or tears.
IMPORTANT: Wipe the wheel bearing seal area on the knuckle clean.
26. Lubricate the seal lip.
27. If the seal is cut or torn, inspect the wheel bearing for damage and replace the seal.
28. Do the following in order to replace the seal:
- Pry the old seal from the knuckle.
- Discard the old seal.
- Lubricate the new seal lip.
- Use the J36605 in order to install the seal into the knuckle.
INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
1. Prior to drive axle (halfshaft installation, cover the shock mounting bracket, lower control arm ball stud, and all other sharp edges with shop towels so that the drive axle (halfshaft) boot is not damaged during assembly.
2. Insert the outer C/V joint splined shank into the knuckle hub and secure the inboard CN joint flange to companion flange with bolts. Do not tighten.
IMPORTANT: Do not lubricate the drive axle (halfshaft) splines and knuckle with grease.
3. Install the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle.
4. Install the stud nut.
- Tighten the stud nut to 100 Nm (75 ft. lbs.).
NOTICE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
5. Install the cotter pin.
6. Lubricate the upper ball joint until grease appears at the seal.
7. Install the stabilizer shaft bushing, bracket, and bolts.
- Tighten the bolts (5) to 33 Nm (24 ft. lbs.).
8. Install the stabilizer shaft link bolt assembly, spacer, and nut assembly.
Obtain torque by running the nut assembly to the unthreaded portion of the bolt, then tighten to 18 Nm (13 ft. lbs.).
9. Remove the floor jack or stand from the beneath the lower control arm.
10. Install the shock absorber to the lower shock mounting bracket.
11. Install the shock mounting bolt, washer, and nut.
- Tighten the nut to 73 Nm (54 ft. lbs.).
12. Install the outer tie rod to the steering knuckle using the J29193.
- Tighten the tool to 54 Nm (40 ft. lbs.).
13. Install the new outer tie rod prevailing torque nut.
- Tighten the nut to 62 Nm (46 ft. lbs.).
14. Install the brake pipe support bracket to the upper control arm.
- Tighten the nut to 62 Nm (46 ft. lbs.).
15. Install the brake pipe support bracket to the upper control arm.
- Tighten the nut to 17 Nm (13 ft. lbs.).
IMPORTANT: Make sure that the brake hose is not twisted or kinked, or damage to the hose could result.
16. Install the hub nut washer (3) and the nut (2).
17. Seat the shank splines in the hub.
18. Insert a drift through the brake caliper in order to prevent the drive axle from turning.
- Tighten the inboard flange bolts to 78 Nm (58 ft. lbs.).
19. Install the hub nut.
- Tighten the hub nut to 225 Nm (165 ft. lbs.).
20. Remove the drift.
21. Install the wheels.
22. Remove the safety stands.
23. Lower the vehicle.