Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints: Service and Repair

Fig. 18 Speedometer pinion removal:

REMOVAL
1. Remove cotter pin, locknut and spring washer from wheel hub.
2. Loosen hub nut with brakes applied.
3. Raise and support vehicle, then remove wheel and tire assembly.
4. If removing the right driveshaft, the speedometer pinion must be removed prior to driveshaft removal.
5. Remove ball joint stud to steering knuckle clamp bolt, then separate ball joint stud from steering knuckle using a suitable pry bar. Use caution not to damage ball joint or C/V joint boots.
6. Separate outer C/V joint splined shaft from hub by holding C/V housing while moving knuckle/hub assembly away. Do not use pry bar to separate hub from shaft or damage to outer wear sleeve on C/V joint may occur.
7. Support driveshaft assembly at C/V joint housing and remove by pulling outward on the inner C/V joint housing. Do not pull on the shaft.
8. Remove driveshaft assembly from vehicle.

INSTALLATION
1. Hold inner joint assembly at housing while aligning and guiding the inner joint spline into transaxle.
2. Push knuckle/hub assembly out and install outer C/V joint shaft into hub.
3. Install knuckle assembly on ball joint stud, then the clamp bolt. Torque bolt to 70 ft. lbs. Steering knuckle clamp bolt is "prevailing torque type." Original or equivalent bolt must be installed during assembly.
4. Install speedometer pinion, right driveshaft only.
5. Fill transaxle with suitable transaxle fluid.
6. Install washer and hub nut, then torque hub nut to 180 ft. lbs. Install nut lock and cotter pin.
7. If after installing driveshaft assembly in vehicle the inboard boot appears collapsed or deformed, vent the inner boot by inserting a round tipped, small diameter rod between boot and shaft. As venting occurs, the boot will return to its normal shape.
8. Install wheel and tire assembly. After installation of driveshaft, check the driveshaft length as outlined in "Driveshaft Length, Adjust" procedure.