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Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement

Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement



Special Tools

• DT-44394-A Seal Protector

• J-45859 Axle Puller


For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools .

Removal Procedure


1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .

2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .

3. Insert a drift or punch (2) in the cooling fins of the brake rotor.


4. Rotate the brake rotor until the drift or punch contacts the brake caliper mounting bracket.

5. Using a breaker bar (1), loosen the wheel drive shaft nut.

6. Remove the wheel drive shaft nut (1).


7. Using the J-45859 puller , separate the wheel drive shaft from the knuckle assembly.

8. Remove the lower control arm from the knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .

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

10. Using a large flat bladed screw driver (2), remove the wheel drive shaft (1) from the differential.


11.
Note
• It may be necessary to have an assistant hold the knuckle assembly while removing the wheel drive shaft.

• If removing the wheel drive shaft to service other suspension or driveline components, use care when removing or installing the wheel drive shaft so as not to damage the wheel drive shaft boots


Note

The front axle shaft seal must be replaced once the wheel drive shaft has been removed. Replace with NEW only. DO NOT reuse the front shaft axle seal.


Remove the wheel drive shaft (1) from the vehicle.


12.
Note

If there is no washer on the wheel drive shaft, install a NEW washer.


Remove and discard the washer (1) from the wheel axle (2). DO NOT re-use the gasket, always replace with NEW.


13. Remove the front axle shaft seal. Refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Left Side .


Installation Procedure


1. Install the NEW front axle shaft seal. Refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Left Side .

2.
Warning

Wheel drive shaft seal protector must be installed into the differential output shaft seal prior to removing and installing the wheel drive shaft. Failure to install the wheel drive shaft seal protector as indicated may cause the splines of the wheel drive shaft to cut the differential output seal.


Install the DT-44394-A protector (1) into the differential seal.


3. Install the wheel drive shaft (1) into the differential.


4. Remove the DT-44394-A protector from the wheel drive shaft.

5. Install the NEW washer (1) on the wheel drive shaft (2).


6. Insert the wheel drive shaft in the knuckle.

7. Install the lower control arm in the knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .

8. Install the outer tie rod end in the knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement .

9. Install the wheel drive shaft nut (1).


10. Insert a drift or punch (2) in the cooling fins of the brake rotor.


11. Rotate the brake rotor until the drift or punch contacts the brake caliper mounting bracket.

12. Refer to Fastener Caution .

Use a torque wrench (1) and tighten the drive axle nut to 250 Nm (184 lb ft) .

13. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .

14. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.