Axle Shaft Assembly: Service and Repair

Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement

Removal Procedure




1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).




3. Remove the engine protection shield. Refer to Engine Protection Shield Replacement (Engine Protection Shield Replacement).




4. Remove the wheel speed sensor wiring harness from the retainers.




5. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor from the harness.




6. Remove the retaining bolt for the front brake hose.




7. Remove the front stabilizer bar link from the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (Front Suspension).




8. Remove the upper shock module retaining from the shock tower.




9. Remove the tie rod end from the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement (Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement).




10. Remove the left and right upper ball joint pinch bolt and nut.
11. Remove the shock module from the shock tower.
12. Remove the steering knuckle from the upper control arm.
13. Remove the front wheel drive axle from the steering knuckle.




14. Using mechanics wire or hook, support the front shock module/steering knuckle to the frame.




15. Disconnect the left side wheel drive shaft from the differential carrier assembly by placing a brass drift against the tripot housing. Firmly strike the brass drift outward from the case with a hammer. Strike hard enough to overcome the snap ring pressure holding in the shaft.




16. Disconnect the right side wheel drive shaft from the clutch fork housing assembly by placing a brass drift against the tripot housing. Firmly strike the brass drift outward from the case with a hammer. Strike hard enough to overcome the snap ring pressure holding in the shaft.
17. Pull the wheel drive shaft straight out from the differential carrier assembly or the clutch fork housing assembly.
18. Remove the wheel drive shaft.

Installation Procedure




1. Install the front wheel drive axle front differential assembly.
2. Remove the mechanics wire or hook from the front shock module/steering
3. Install the front wheel drive axle in the steering knuckle.
4. Position the shock module in the shock tower.
5. Install the shock module into the shock tower
6. Install the upper ball joint in the upper control arm.




7. Install the pinch bolt and nut. For the proper torque specification, refer to Steering Knuckle Replacement (RWD) (Steering Knuckle Replacement (RWD))Steering Knuckle Replacement (4WD) (Steering Knuckle Replacement (4WD)).




8. Install the shock module retaining nuts. For the proper torque specification, refer to Shock Absorber and Spring Assembly Replacement (Shock Absorber and Spring Assembly Replacement).
9. Install the front wheel drive shaft retaining.





Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

10. Install the new front wheel drive shaft retaining nut and tighten to 140 Nm (103 ft. lbs.).




11. Install the tie rod end in the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement (Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement).




12. Install the stabilizer bar link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (Front Suspension).




13. Install the front brake hose retaining bolt. Refer to Front Brake Hose Replacement (Front Brake Hose Replacement).




14. Install the front wheel speed sensor wiring harness in the retainers.




15. Reconnect the front wheel speed sensors electrical connector.




16. Install the engine protection shield. Refer to Engine Protection Shield Replacement (Engine Protection Shield Replacement).




17. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
18. Lower the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).