Half Shaft - Installation

EXCEPT DIESEL AND TURBO MODELS





CAUTION: Boot sealing is vital to retain special lubricants and to prevent foreign contaminants from entering the CV joint. Mishandling, such as allowing the assemblies to dangle unsupported, or pulling or pushing the ends can cut boots or damage CV joints. During removal and installation procedures, always support both ends of the halfshaft to prevent damage.

1. Thoroughly clean spline and oil seal sealing surface, on tripod joint. Lightly lubricate oil seal sealing surface on tripod joint with fresh clean transmission lubricant.
2. Holding halfshaft assembly by tripod joint and interconnecting shaft, install tripod joint into transaxle side gear as far as possible by hand.
3. Carefully align tripod joint with transaxle side gears. Then grasp halfshaft interconnecting shaft and push tripod joint into transaxle side gear until fully seated. Test that snap ring is fully engaged with side gear by attempting to remove tripod joint from transaxle by hand. If snap ring is fully engaged with side gear, tripod joint will not be removable by hand.
4. Clean all debris and moisture out of steering knuckle (4).




5. Ensure that front of outer CV joint (2) which fits into steering knuckle, is free of debris and moisture before assembling into steering knuckle.




6. Apply a light coating of Mopar(R) multi-purpose wheel bearing grease around the circumference of the flat surface (1). Do not apply too much grease, which could spill on to the non mating and adversely affect the function of the halfshaft.
7. Wipe the rear of the hub and bearing in the knuckle clean where they contact the C/V joint.
8. Install halfshaft back into front hub.




9. Install steering knuckle onto the ball joint stud (3).

NOTE: At this point, the outer joint will not seat completely into the front hub. The outer joint will be pulled into hub and seated when the hub nut is installed and torqued.

10. Install a NEW steering knuckle to ball joint stud bolt (2) and nut (1). Tighten the nut and bolt to 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.).



Halfshaft Retaining Hardware





11. Clean all foreign matter from threads of halfshaft outer stub axle. Install washer (2) and hub nut (3) onto the threads of the stub axle and tighten nut (3) to 244 Nm (180 ft. lbs.).
12. Install spring washer (4), nut lock (5), and cotter pin (1).




13. Install front wheel and tire assembly (1). Install front wheel lug nuts (2) and tighten to 128 Nm (95 ft. lbs.).
14. Check for correct fluid level in transaxle assembly.
15. Lower vehicle.
16. Connect battery negative cable.