Contents: Removal ⤓ Installation ⤓
Removal
1. Apply the parking brake, remove the wheel cover and loosen the hub nut. Loosen the front wheel nuts, lift the car and place it on stable stands. Remove the front wheel.
2. Unscrew the drive shaft hub nut. To prevent the hub from turning, insert a pry bar between the two wheel mounting studs. Then unscrew the nut.
3. Unscrew the two bolts and separate the lower arm from the ball joint or the ball joint from the steering knuckle (see Chapter 10 if necessary).
4. Remove the drive shaft from the hub using a puller (if it is jammed), then pull the steering knuckle back and remove the outer end from the hub splines.
10.4a. If the drive shaft is jammed on the hub, a puller can be used to remove it; do not use a hammer
10.4b. Move the steering knuckle away and remove the drive shaft from the hub splines
5. Carefully pry the inner end of the drive shaft out of the transmission using a pry bar between the transmission housing and the CV joint housing.
6. Support the joint and carefully remove the drive shaft from the vehicle.
10.6. When removing the inner end of the axle from the gearbox, be careful (the seal is very close to the edge of the joint and can be damaged by a tire iron inserted too deeply)
Installation
7. Remove the old snap ring from the inner end of the drive shaft and install a new one. Lubricate the differential seal with multipurpose grease, lift the drive shaft into place, supporting the joints, and insert the splined end of the inner joint into the differential gear. Press the shaft into the gear by pressing firmly on the drive shaft.
10.7 Always replace the spring washer on the inner constant velocity joint journal before installing the drive shaft
8. Apply a small amount of multi-purpose grease to the splines of the outer CV joint, pull the knuckle assembly and insert the stub into the hub.
9. Connect the ball joint to the lower arm or steering knuckle.
10. Install the hub nut, placing a new large washer underneath it. Secure the disc from turning and tighten the hub nut securely.
11. Clamp the inner CV joint housing (not the axle) and pull on it to check for secure mounting in the transmission.
12. Replace the wheel and lower the vehicle.
13. Tighten the hub nut to the torque specified in the specifications in this Chapter and reinstall the wheel cover.