Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints: Service and Repair

Front Axle Halfshafts, Bearings and Seals





Special Tool(s)





Material

1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position on a hoist.
2. Remove the front wheel and tire assembly.





3. CAUTION: Remove or tape the brake pads to prevent them from falling out of the anchor plate.

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

NOTE: Remove the front brake anti-lock sensor harness from the clip.

Remove the bolts and position the disc brake caliper aside.





4. Remove the parts in the order indicated in the following illustration and table.
5. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
6. Fill the transmission with the specified quantity of the specified lubricant.

Item 1: Front Axle Wheel Hub Retainer Removal Note

1. CAUTION: The front axle wheel hub retainer is a torque prevailing design nut. Do not reuse this nut.

Remove the retainer and washer.
^ Insert a steel rod in the brake disc to prevent the halfshaft from turning while removing the retainer.





Item 3: Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Pinch Bolt Removal Note
1. Remove and discard the nut and bolt.

Item 5: Halfshaft Assembly Removal Note
1. Separate the rear axle halfshaft assembly from the hub. Using the special tools, press the outboard CV joint until it is loose in the hub. Remove the special tool. Separate the outboard CV joint from the hub.





2. CAUTION: Do not damage the transmission differential seal.

Remove the halfshaft with both hands.





Item 5: Halfshaft Assembly Installation Note

1. CAUTION: Install a new circlip every time the halfshaft is removed from the transmission differential.

On the RH halfshaft only, Install a new axle circlip in the groove in the inboard CV joint stub shaft.
^ Start one end in the groove and work the circlip over the shaft and into the groove to prevent the clip from overexpanding.





2. NOTE: If necessary, use a nonmetallic mallet to aid in seating the circlip in the differential side gear groove (RH) or output shaft splines (LH). Tap only on the outboard front wheel halfshaft joint.

Align the inboard CV Joint housing splines with the differential side gear splines (RH) or output shaft splines (LH), and push the inboard CV joint housing assembly inward until the circlip seats in the differential side gear (RH) or inboard CV joint housing (LH).
3. Align the halfshaft outboard CV joint splines and the wheel hub splines, and push the joint into the wheel hub as far as possible.





4. Install the washer and the original wheel hub retainer. Using the old retainer, seat the outboard CV joint in the hub. Remove the retainer and discard it.





Item 3: Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Pinch Bolt Installation Note

1. CAUTION: Install a new bolt and nut.

Connect the suspension lower arm to the knuckle and install the new bolt and nut.





Item 1: Front Axle Wheel Hub Retainer Installation Note

1. CAUTION: Install and tighten the new axle wheel hub retainer to specification in a continuous rotation. Stopping the rotation during installation will cause the nylon lock to set incorrectly. This will cause incorrect torque readings while tightening the retainer and lead to bearing failure. Always install a new retainer after loosening the retainer or when the retainer has not been installed to specification in a continuous rotation.

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

NOTE: Apply a small patch of sealant to the last five outboard CV joint threads.

Install a new axle wheel hub retainer.
^ Remove the steel rod from the brake disc.