Rear

Halfshaft





Special Tool(s)

Removal and Installation

NOTE: This procedure applies to both rear halfshaft assemblies.

1. CAUTION: Do not loosen the rear axle wheel hub retainer until after the wheel and tire assembly are removed from the vehicle. Wheel bearing damage will occur if the wheel bearing is unloaded with the weight of the vehicle applied.

With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, raise and support the vehicle.

2. Remove the rear wheel and tire assembly.

3. NOTE: Have an assistant press the brake pedal to keep the axle from rotating.

Remove and discard the rear axle wheel hub retainer and the washer.








4. CAUTION: To prevent damage to the brake hose, do not allow the disc brake caliper to hang suspended from the hose.

Remove the brake disc.
1 Remove the two bolts and lift the disc brake caliper and brake pads off the brake disc.
^ Using mechanics wire, position the disc brake caliper out of the way.
2 Remove the brake disc.

5. Remove the bolt retaining the parking brake cable bracket to the frame.






6. CAUTION: Cover the stabilizer link bolt threads and the nut to prevent boot damage when removing the halfshaft assembly from the vehicle.

Using a rubber hose approximately 37.5 mm (1.5 inch) long, cover the stabilizer link bolt threads and nut.






7. WARNING: The bolt that retains the upper ball joint to the knuckle is longer and it has fewer threads than the bolt that retains the toe link to the knuckle. Switching these bolts during installation will prevent the pinch arms on the knuckle from correctly retaining the toe link to the knuckle. This may cause the toe link to separate from the knuckle during vehicle operation. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.

Remove the pinch bolts and disconnect the toe link and upper ball joint from the knuckle.






8. CAUTION: Support the rear suspension upper arm to prevent boot damage when removing the halfshaft assembly from the vehicle.

Using a wood stick, approximately 450 mm (18 inch) long and 25 mm (1 inch) wide, support the rear suspension upper arm.






9. CAUTION: Do not use a hammer to separate the outboard CV joint from the hub.

Damage to the threads and internal CV joint components may result.

CAUTION: Once the outboard CV joint separates from the hub the knuckle will continue to pivot until the brake backing plate presses against the suspension lower arm. To prevent damage to the brake backing plate, immediately after separating the outboard CV joint from the hub, rest the knuckle on a cushioned support that is tall enough to keep the hacking plate from pressing against the suspension lower arm.

Separate the outboard CV joint from the hub and rest the knuckle on a cushioned support.
1 Using the special tool, press the outboard CV joint until it is loose in the hub.
2 Remove the special tool.
3 Separate the outboard CV joint from the hub.
4 Rest the knuckle on a cushioned support,









10. CAUTION: Do not damage the axle shaft oil seal or the machined sealing surface on the inboard CV joint housing.

CAUTION: Do not allow the splines on inboard CV joint housing to touch the axle shaft oil seal.

NOTE: A circlip retains the inboard CV joint housing to the differential side gear in the axle.

Using the special tool, disengage the inboard CV joint housing from the differential side gear.





11. Remove the halfshaft assembly from the vehicle.






12. CAUTION: Always install the halfshaft with a new retainer circlip and a new rear axle wheel hub retainer.

CAUTION: Never use power tools to tighten the rear axle wheel hub retainer.

To install, reverse the removal procedure.