Axle Shaft: Service and Repair
Driveshafts, Remove-InstallNote: Procedures for the removal and installation of the driveshafts are essentially the same for all front wheel drive vehicles. Each driveshaft has a spring within the inboard "tripod" CV joint that maintains constant engagement with the transaxle, which allows it to be removed without dismantling part of the transaxle.
Caution: Boot sealing is vital to retain special lubriants and to prevent foreign contaminants from entering the CV joint. Mishandling, such as allowing the assemblies to dangle unsupported, pulling or pushing the ends can cut boots or damage CV joints. During removal and installation procedures always support both ends of the driveshaft to prevent damage.
Hub Nut Assemblies Remove
Note: Hub nut removal and installation is the same or all front wheel drive vehicles.
1. Remove cotter pin and lock.
2. Loosen hub nut and wheel nuts while vehicle is on floor and brakes applied.
3. Raise vehicle.
4. Remove hub nut, washer, wheel and tire assembly.
Driveshaft Assemblies-Remove
Inboard CV joints have stub shafts splined into the intermediate shaft on the right side of an equal length system. Driveshafts are retained in the side gears by a constant spring force provided by a spring contained within the inboard CV joints.
1. For removal of right driveshaft, the speedometer pinion must be removed BEFORE shaft removal.
2. Remove clamp bolt securing ball joint stud into steering knuckle.
3. Separate ball joint stud from steering knuckle by prying against knuckle leg and control arm.
Caution: Do not damage ball joint or CV joint boots.
4. Separate outer CV joint splined shaft from hub by holding CV housing while moving knuckle (hub) assembly away.
Caution: Do not pry on or otherwise damage wear sleeve on outer CV joint.
For 2.2L Turbo Models:
5. Support assembly at CV joint housings. Remove by pulling outward on the inner joint housing.
Caution: Do not pull on shaft. The driveshaft, when installed, acts as a bolt and secures the hub/bearing assembly. If the vehicle is to be supported or moved on its wheels, install a bolt through the hub to insure that the hub bearing assembly cannot loosen.
Driveshaft Assemblies - Install
For 2.2L Turbo Models:
1. Hold inner joint assembly at housing while aligning and guiding the inner joint spline into the intermediate shaft assembly.
For 2.2L Turbo Models:
Be sure that the rubber washer seal is in place on the right inner CV joint.
Caution: When installing an "A.C.I." shaft (see Application and ID if you are unsure which manufacturer you have), be sure that the tripod is engaged in the housing and the is not twisted.
Caution: Seal/Wear Sleeve Lubrication: During any service procedures where knuckle and driveshaft are separated, thoroughly clean both seal and wear sleeve with suitable solvent (solvent must not touch boot) and relubricate both components prior to reinstalling driveshaft. Lubricate wear sleeve and seal with MOPAR Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Part Number 4318063 or equivalent. Apply on the full circumference of the Wear Sleeve a bead of lubricant that is 6 mm (1/4 in.) wide to seal contact area as shown. Fill lip to housing cavity on Seal, complete circumference, and "wet" seal lip with lubricant as shown.
2. Push knuckle (hub) assembly out and install splined outer CV joint shaft in hub.
Figure 15:
3. Reinstall knuckle assembly on ball joint stud as shown.
Figure 16 Clamp Bolt:
Caution: Steering knuckle clamp bolt shown is "prevailing torque type", original or equivalent bolt must be reinstalled during reassembly.
4. Install and tighten clamp bolt to 95 Nm (70 ft/lbs.) as shown.
5. Install speedometer pinion as shown.
6. Fill differential with proper lubricant.
Standard GL-5
Sure-Grip 90 GL-5 *
above -10°F (-23°C), 90, 80W-90, 85W-90;
-30° to -10°F (-34 to -23°C), 80W, 80W-90, 85W-90;
below -30°F (-34°C), 75W
7. Install hub nut assembly.
8. If after installing the driveshaft assembly, the inboard boot appears collapsed or deformed, vent the inner boot by inserting, a round tipped small diameter rod between the boot and shaft.
- If necessary, massage the boot to remove all puckers being careful not to allow dirt to enter or grease to leave the boot cavity. If the boot is clamped to the shaft with a rubber "garter" clamp, it need not be removed to perform this venting operation. If the boot is clamped to the shaft using a metal clamp, the clamp must be removed and discarded before the rod can be inserted.
Note: After venting, install a new Service Clamp, Part Number 5212720, or equivalent using special Tool C4653.
Hub Nut Assemblies - Install
The front wheel hub nuts use a "lock" and "cotter pin" to maintain proper wheel bearing preload and prevent the nut from backing off.
1. Install washer and hub nut after cleaning foreign matter from threads.
2. With brakes applied, tighten hub nut to 245 Nm (180 ft/lbs.).
3. Install lock, spring washer and new cotter pin. Wrap cotter pin prongs tightly around nut lock.
4. Install wheel and tire assembly. Tighten wheel nuts to 129 Nm (95 ft/lbs.).