Axle Shaft Assembly: Service and Repair

Fig. 3 Removing Axle Shaft:

1. Raise and support vehicle.
2. Drain differential housing.
3. Remove locking hub.
4. Remove drive shaft circlip.
5. Remove tie rod end castle nut.
6. Disconnect and support caliper from disc rotor.
7. Remove knuckle ball joint stud nut.
8. Support lower arm with a suitable jack.
9. Remove strut mounting bracket bolts.
10. Remove knuckle and wheel hub assembly by lowering jack.
11. For righthand side axle shaft, proceed as follows:
a. Detach differential side joint by prying the joint away from the differential assembly using tool No. J37780, Fig. 3.
b. Remove righthand side axle shaft.
12. For lefthand side axle shaft, proceed as follows:
a. Remove the three axle shaft flange bolts.
b. Remove lefthand axle shaft.