Half Shaft - Removal

REMOVAL

Special Tools:






NOTE: Never grasp the halfshaft assembly by the inner or outer boots doing so may damage to the boot.

NOTE: The inner tripod joints are designed with a retention feature that prevents the tripod rollers from coming out of the inner joint housing up to a specific load. If this feature is overcome and any of the rollers are pulled past the retention feature the joint will "lock-up" and no longer function properly. The entire halfshaft assembly must be replaced if this occurs.

NOTE: Before proceeding, review all Warnings and Cautions. Warning





1. Raise and support the vehicle Maintenance.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly Tires And Wheels - Removal.
3. If equipped, remove the engine belly pan Belly Pan - Removal.





4. Remove the cross car cradle brace (1).
5. Drain the transmission fluid (manual transmissions only) Service and Repair.





6. Remove the staking from the hub nut (2).
7. While a helper applies the brakes to keep the hub from rotating, use a 12 point thin-walled 36mm Craftsman(R) socket (or equivalent) to remove the hub nut and discard.





8. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor from the hub assembly (2).





9. Remove the nut (4) attaching the outer tie rod (5) to the knuckle (3).
10. Release the outer tie rod end (3) from the knuckle (2) using Ball Joint Remover (9360) (1).
11. Remove the outer tie rod from the knuckle.





12. Remove the nut (1) attaching the stabilizer link to the strut. Separate the stabilizer link stud from the strut.
13. While holding the bolt heads stationary, remove the two nuts (2) from the bolts (4) attaching the strut to the knuckle (3).
14. Remove the two bolts (2) attaching the strut to the knuckle (3).






NOTE: Care must be taken not to separate the inner C/V joint during this operation. Do not allow halfshaft to hang by inner C/V joint after removing outer C/V Joint from the hub/bearing assembly in steering knuckle, end of halfshaft must be supported.

15. Separate the knuckle assembly from the half shaft.

NOTE: With manual transaxles some fluid might leak when the half shaft is removed from the transaxle.

16. Supporting the outer end of the halfshaft assembly, insert a pry bar between (1) the inner tripod joint and transaxle case ). Pry against inner tripod joint until the retaining snap-ring is disengaged from transaxle side gear and remove half shaft from the vehicle.