Drive Axle Removal
FRONT AXLE SHAFT
1. With vehicle on ground, depress brake pedal and loosen drive axle-to-hub nut.
CAUTION: Make sure vehicle is properly supported and squarely positioned on hoist. To help avoid personal injury, provide additional support to the opposite end of the vehicle that components will be removed from.
2. Raise vehicle on hoist.
3. Remove road wheel corresponding to the drive axle being removed.
4. Remove side splash shield corresponding to the drive axle being removed.
a. Remove two push pins.
b. Remove lower shield to cradle molded-in fasteners at cradle by gently prying at three fastener locations.
IMPORTANT: For left side, remove front section of shield first, then rear. For right side, remove rear section of shield first, then front. If molded-in fasteners arc damaged or broken, drill out with a 5/16 bit and replace with a push pin.
5. If left drive axle or intermediate shaft is to be removed, place approved container under transaxle drain plug, remove plug and drain fluid.
6. Remove drive axle nut and washer and discard nut.
7. Remove and discard lower control arm-to-steering knuckle cotter pin.
8. Loosen lower control arm-to-steering knuckle castle nut to the point where the top of the castle nut is even with the top of the ball stud. Do not remove the castle nut at this time.
9. Using Lower Control Arm Ball Stud Separator SA9132S (or equivalent), separate lower control arm from steering knuckle.
NOTICE: On Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) equipped vehicles, the outer Constant Velocity (CV) joint has a speed sensor ring. Using the incorrect tool or procedure to separate the control arm from the knuckle can damage the ring, resulting in a loss of ABS operation. Even minor scratching of speed sensor ring may result in a loss of ABS operation. Do not attempt to separate the joint using a wedge-type tool because the seal may be damaged.
10.
a. If equipped with a cotter pin and castle nut, remove and discard outer tie rod cotter pin. Then remove castle nut.
b. If equipped with a torque prevailing (self-locking) nut, remove and discard nut.
11. Using Tie Rod Separator SA91100C (or equivalent), separate tie rod end from steering knuckle.
NOTICE: Do not attempt to separate the joint using a wedge-type tool because the seal may be damaged.
12. Remove lower control arm-to-steering knuckle castle nut.
13. Position a long pry bar at the proper cradle and front stabilizer bar locations.
NOTICE: Be sure to use cloths where the pry bar contacts the front stabilizer bar and cradle to avoid surface damage to these components.
IMPORTANT: Place a cloth over the ball stud boot, protecting it from damage caused by contact with the steering knuckle.
14. Pull down on pry bar, separating the lower control arm ball stud from the steering knuckle. Pull the steering knuckle away from the ball stud.
NOTICE: Be careful not to allow steering knuckle to contact ball stud seal. Contact may cause the seal to rip, requiring control arm replacement.
15. While pulling knuckle/strut assembly away from vehicle, pull outer end of drive axle out of the wheel hub.
NOTICE: To prevent damage to the CV joint boots, be careful not to allow them to contact other parts during the removal/installation process. Also, never pull on the shaft assembly.
IMPORTANT: If difficulty is encountered in separating axle from hub, tap on end of drive axle shaft, using a block of wood and a hammer. Do not hammer directly on end of axle.
16. Support or suspend drive axle assembly.
17. For right side drive axle, remove drive axle from intermediate shaft by tapping axle at the correct location with a hammer, using a block of wood between the hammer and drive axle. Separate drive axle from intermediate shaft.
18. For left side drive axle only, remove drive axle by inserting a large pry par into the correct location and prying axle out of transaxle.
19. Remove drive axle from vehicle.
NOTICE: When inserting pry bar between the transaxle and drive axle, be careful not to contact transaxle oil seal. Contacting the transaxle oil seal can damage the seal, requiring seal replacement.