Front Drive Axle
FRONT DRIVE AXLE REPLACEMENTRemoval Procedure
1. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle with safety stands. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Wheels, Tires and Alignment.
3. Insert a drift or a large screwdriver through the brake caliper into 1 of the brake rotor vanes in order to prevent the drive axle wheel drive shaft from turning.
4. Remove the nut (2) and the washer (3) from the hub.
5. Remove the 6 bolts (1) securing the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to the output shaft flange.
6. Remove the drift from the rotor.
7. Remove the stabilizer shaft bolt (3), the spacer (2) and the nut (1) from the lower control arm (4). Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (4WD) in Front Suspension.
8. Wrap shop towels around both the inner and the outer wheel drive shaft boots in order to avoid damage to the boots during removal and installation.
9. Pull the wheel drive shaft through the lower control arm opening.
Installation Procedure
1. Wrap shop towels around both the inner and the outer wheel drive shaft boots in order to avoid damage to the boots during removal and installation.
Important: Do not lubricate the wheel drive shaft splines and the knuckle with grease.
2. Insert the wheel drive shaft splined shank into the knuckle hub.
3. Install the washer (3) and the nut (2) to the hub (4)
4. Attach the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to the output shaft flange using the inboard flange bolts (1).
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
5. Insert a drift or a large screwdriver through the brake caliper into 1 of the brake rotor vanes in order to prevent the drive axle halfshaft from turning.
^ Tighten the inboard flange bolts to 78 Nm (58 ft. lbs.).
^ Tighten the hub nut to 240 Nm (177 ft. lbs.).
6. Remove the drift from the rotor.
7. Install the stabilizer shaft bolts (3), the spacer (2) and the nut (1) to the lower control arm (4).
^ Obtain torque by running the nut assembly to the unthreaded portion of the bolt. Then tighten the nut to 18 Nm (13 ft. lbs.).
8. Install the wheel and tire assembly. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (4WD) in Front Suspension.
9. Lower the vehicle.