Axle Shaft Assembly: Service and Repair

Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement

Tools Required
- J2619-01 Slide Hammer
- J29794 Axle Shaft Remover Extension
- J33008-A Axle Shaft Puller
- J42129 Hub Spindle Remover

Removal Procedure
1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
3. Disconnect the tie rod from the knuckle.





4. Insert a drift (1) into the rotor and against the caliper in order to prevent the rotor from turning.
5. Remove the wheel drive shaft nut (2).
6. Remove the stabilizer link.

Important: Be sure that the wheel speed sensor wiring harness is repositioned away from the ball joint after disconnecting the electrical connector from the sensor.

7. Disconnect the electrical connector from the wheel speed sensor and reposition the wiring harness away from the ball joint.
8. Remove the ball joint from the steering knuckle.





9. Use the J42129 in order to remove the hub and the bearing.

Important: Be sure to bottom out the threads as much as possible while assembling the J2619-01 the J33008-A and the J29794.





10. Assemble the J2619-O1, the J33008-A and the J29794.
11. Using the J2619-01, the J33008-A and the J29794, disengage the wheel drive shaft from the transaxle.
12. Remove the drive shaft from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure





1. Install the axle shaft (2) to the transaxle (1).
2. Verify that the wheel drive shaft is properly engaged to the transaxle by grasping the inner tripod housing and pulling outward. Do not pull on the wheel drive shaft bar. The wheel drive shaft will remain firmly in place when properly engaged.





3. Install the wheel drive shaft (1) to the steering knuckle (2).
4. Install the ball joint to the steering knuckle.
5. Connect the stabilizer link.
6. Connect the wheel speed electrical connector.





7. Insert a drift (1) into the rotor and against the caliper in order to prevent the rotor from turning.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

This article has been updated with TSB 03-04-18-001.

NEW FRONT DRIVE AXLE NUT
Use the new nut, P/N 10289657, whenever the front drive axle nut is removed. This new nut is a torque prevailing nut and is silver in color. The old nut is black in color and has a sheet metal cage around the nut (shown below). Using the new nut will provide a more consistent clamp load on the wheel bearing and should help prolong the bearing life.

NOTICE: Use the correct tightening specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

New Style Nut:

NOTE: The nut shown is a torque prevailing nut and is silver colored.

Tighten the new nut to 235 Nm (173 lb ft).

Old Style Nut:

NOTE: The old style nut shown is black and has a sheet metal cage around the nut.

The old nut torque was 385 Nm (284 lb ft).

IMPORTANT: Some front wheel hub kits may have the old style nut included in the kit. Discard the old nut and use the new nut, P/N 10289657.

8. Install the wheel drive shaft nut (2) to the axle shaft.
Tighten the new style nut to 235 Nm (173 lb ft).
9. Connect the tie rod to the knuckle.
10. Install the tire and wheel assembly.
11. Lower the vehicle.