Removal
FIG. 13 Spindle and Left Shaft and Joint Installation-Typical:
FIG. 14 Right Hand Shaft and Joint Assembly Installation-Typical:
1. Raise the vehicle and install safety stands.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove the caliper as described in Disc Brakes-Light and Heavy Duty-Sliding Caliper. Securely wire the caliper to the frame.
CAUTION: After removal, the caliper must be wired to the frame or otherwise supported to prevent suspending the caliper by the flexible hose. If securing the caliper is not practical, disconnect and plug the hose to the caliper. Upon caliper installation, bleed the brake system as described in General Hydraulic Brake Service.
4. Remove hub locks, wheel bearings, and lock nuts per Wheel Hubs and Bearings- Front Wheel Drive.
5. Remove the hub and rotor assembly and outer bearing from the spindle.
6. Remove the nuts retaining the spindle to the steering knuckle. Tap the spindle with a plastic or rawhide hammer to jar the spindle from the knuckle. Remove the splash shield.
FIG. 15 Right Shaft and Joint Removal:
7. On the right side of the vehicle remove the shaft and joint assembly by pulling the assembly out of the carrier (Fig. 15).
FIG. 16 Right Shaft and Joint-Exploded View:
8. On the right side of the carrier, remove and discard the keystone clamp from the shaft and joint assembly and the stub shaft. Slide the rubber boot onto the stub shaft and pull the shaft and joint assembly from the splines of the stub shaft (Fig. 16).
9. Place the spindle in a vise on the second step of the spindle. Wrap a shop towel around the spindle or use a brass-jawed vise to protect the spindle.
10. Remove the oil seal and needle bearing from the spindle with Slide Hammer T5OT-100-A and
FIG. 17 Spindle Seal and Bearing Removal:
Bearing Cup Puller, T77F-1102-A or their equivalents (Fig. 17).
FIG. 18 Spindle Inspection Areas:
11. Inspect the sealing surfaces of the spindle for severely corroded, pitted, worn or galled sealing surfaces. Replace spindle if damaged. Refer to Figure 18.
12. Inspect the outer shaft of the axle shaft assembly for corroded, pitted, worn or galled surfaces in the inner oil seal and/or needle bearing areas. If damage to this area is evident, replace the outer shaft. Repair axle shaft.