Axle Shaft Assembly: Service and Repair
FRONT DRIVE AXLE SERVICEFig. 1 Exploded view of front driving axle:
DRIVE AXLE REPLACE
1. Remove wheel center cap.
2. Remove cotter pin, then drive shaft nut.
3. Loosen wheel lug nuts.
4. Raise and support vehicle.
5. Remove front wheel.
6. Drain transaxle fluid.
7. Using suitable lever, pry inboard drive shaft joint from differential side gear to disengage snap ring on shaft spline, Fig. 1.
Fig. 2 Removing ball joint stud from steering knuckle:
8. Remove 2 stabilizer bar mount bracket bolts and ball joint stud bolt. Pull down on stabilizer bar to disconnect ball joint stud from steering knuckle, Fig. 2.
9. Disconnect inboard joint from differential side gear, then outboard joint from steering knuckle. Remove drive shaft.
10. Reverse procedure to install. Torque drive shaft nut to 108.5-195 lb ft
Fig. 1 Exploded view of front driving axle:
DISASSEMBLY
1. Remove boot band from inboard joint, Fig. 1.
2. Remove housing from inboard joint.
3. Remove snap ring, then spider from shaft.
4. Remove inside and outside boots from shaft. Do not disassemble outboard joint. If joint is defective, it must be replaced as an assembly. Do not disassemble inboard joint spider as it is serviced as an assembly.
INSPECTION
1. Check boots for tears or deterioration. Replace as necessary.
2. Check circlip, snap ring and boot bands for breakage or deformation. Replace as required.
CLEANING
1. Wash disassembled parts (except boots and spider) in degreaser.
2. Clean boots with rag. Do not use gasoline or kerosene, etc.
3. Clean spider with clean towel. To prevent spider needle bearings from becoming degreased, do not wash spider in degreaser.
Fig. 3 Drive axle assembly:
ASSEMBLY
1. Liberally apply black grease included in outboard boot kit to outboard joint.
2. Install outboard boot on shaft. Fill inside of boot with about 2.8 oz. of joint grease, Fig. 3.
3. Install inboard boot on shaft.
4. Rally apply yellow joint grease included in inboard boot kit to inboard joint.
5. Install inboard spider on drive shaft with chamfered side toward outboard joint as shown in Fig. 3.
Fig. 4 Installing axle snap ring:
6. Install snap ring in shaft groove, Fig. 4.
Fig. 3 Drive axle assembly:
7. Fill inside of inboard boot with about 4.5 oz. of joint grease and install housing, Fig. 3. Attach boot to housing with boot band.
8. Check boots for distortion and correct as necessary.