Removal and Installation
Halfshaft
Special Tool(s)
Removal and Installation
NOTE: Except where noted, this procedure applies to both front halfshaft assemblies. Use only the procedure steps necessary for the halfshaft requiring removal/installation.
LH/RH halfshaft
1. Remove the center cap from the front wheel.
2. Loosen the front axle wheel hub retainer.
3. Raise and support the vehicle.
4. Remove the front wheel and tire assembly.
5. Remove and discard the front axle wheel hub retainer.
6. WARNING: Remove or tape the brake pads, to prevent them from falling out of the anchor plate.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the brake hose, do not allow the disc brake caliper to hang suspended from the hose.
Remove the two bolts and position the disc brake caliper aside.
7. Remove the cotter pin and the nut.
8. CAUTION: Do not damage the tie-rod dust boot when installing the special tool.
NOTE: Remove the adapter from the ball end of the special tool. Apply a small amount of grease to the tie-rod stud and to the ball of the special tool.
Using the special tool, separate the tie-rod end from the knuckle.
9. Unclip the anti-lock sensor wiring harness from the locators.
10. Remove the bolt retaining the anti-lock sensor wiring harness to the knuckle.
RH halfshaft only
11. Remove the nuts and disconnect the RH shock absorber from the front suspension lower arm.
LH/RH halfshaft
12. CAUTION: Do not allow the knuckle to hang freely. It is possible to overextend and internally separate the inner CV joint from the housing.
Remove the pinch bolt and disconnect the upper ball joint from the knuckle.
13. CAUTION: Do not use a hammer to separate the outboard CV joint from the hub. Damage to the threads and internal CV joint components may result.
Using the special tool. press the outboard CV joint until it is loose in the hub.
14. NOTE: Due to a tight fit between the halfshaft assembly and the hub, to remove the LH outboard CV joint from the hub, turn the knuckle into a RH turn, and remove the joint from the hub from the RH side of the knuckle (as facing the knuckle). To remove the RH outboard CV joint from the hub, turn the knuckle into a LH turn, and remove the joint from the hub from the LH side of the knuckle (as facing the knuckle).
Remove the outboard CV joint from the hub.
1. Rotate the knuckle.
2. Compress the outboard joint.
3. Remove the outboard joint from the hub.
LH halfshaft only
15. CAUTION: Do not damage the axle shaft oil seal or the machined sealing surface on the inboard CV joint housing.
NOTE: A circlip retains the inboard CV joint housing to the differential side gear in the axle.
Using the special tool, disengage the LH inboard CV joint housing from the differential side gear.
RH halfshaft only
16. CAUTION: Do not damage the axle shaft oil seal or the machined sealing surface on the inboard CV joint housing.
NOTE: A circlip retains the inboard CV joint housing to the axle shaft in the axle tube.
Using the special tool, disengage the RH inboard CV joint housing from the axle tube.
17. CAUTION: Do not damage the axle shaft oil seal, the machined sealing surface on the inboard CV joint housing, or the axle shaft splines.
CAUTION: Install a new retainer circlip on the outboard splined end of the axle shaft before reseating the axle shaft in the differential side gear.
Pull the knuckle, the halfshaft, and the axle shaft away from the axle tube, and separate the inboard CV joint housing from the axle shaft.
LH/RH halfshaft
18. Remove the halfshaft assembly from the vehicle.
19. CAUTION: Always install the halfshaft with a new retainer circlip and a new front axle wheel hub retainer.
CAUTION: On the RH side only, check the retainer circlip engagement after reseating the axle shaft and after installing the halfshaft in the axle. On the LH side only, check the retainer circlip engagement after installing the halfshaft in the axle. When seated, the retainer circlip will lock the axle shaft and the inboard CV joint housing to the axle.
CAUTION: Never use power tools to tighten the front axle wheel hub retainer.
NOTE: When installing either halfshaft assembly, turn the knuckle into a LH turn, and install the outboard CV joint into the hub from the LH side of the knuckle (as facing the knuckle).
NOTE: Support the front suspension lower arm before attempting to connect the upper ball joint to the knuckle or the components will not be able to reach one another.
To install, reverse the removal procedure.