Removal and Installation, Rear Drive Halfshafts

Halfshaft

Special Tool(s)

Removal and Installation

NOTE: This procedure applies to both rear halfshaft assemblies.

1. CAUTION: Do not loosen the rear axle wheel hub retainer until after the wheel and tire assembly is removed from the vehicle. Wheel bearing damage will occur if the wheel bearing is unloaded with the weight of the vehicle applied.

With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, raise and support the vehicle.
2. Remove the rear wheel and tire assembly.

3. NOTE: Have an assistant press the brake pedal to keep the axle from rotating.

Remove and discard the rear axle wheel hub retainer and the washer.

4. Using a suitable hub puller separate the halfshaft from the knuckle.

5. Disconnect the tow link from the rear knuckle.

6. Remove the bolt retaining the knuckle to the lower control arm.

7. Pivot the rear knuckle on the upper control arm bolts and support the knuckle in a raised position.

8. CAUTION: Do not damage the axle shaft oil seal or the machined sealing surface on the inboard CV joint housing.

CAUTION: Do not allow the splines on inboard CV joint housing to touch the axle shaft oil seal.

NOTE: A circlip retains the inboard CV joint housing to the differential side gear in the axle.

Using the special tool, disengage the inboard CV joint housing from the differential side gear.

9. CAUTION: To prevent damage to the axle shaft oil seal, install the special tool before removing the inboard CV joint housing from the axle.

Install the special tool.

10. Remove the halfshaft assembly from the vehicle.

11. Remove and discard the halfshaft retainer circlip

12. CAUTION: To prevent damage to the axle shaft oil seal, install the Halfshaft Seal Protector before positioning the inboard CV joint housing in the axle.

CAUTION: Always install the halfshaft with a new retainer circlip and a new rear axle wheel hub retainer.

CAUTION: Never use power tools to tighten the rear axle wheel hub retainer.

To install, reverse the removal procedure.