Front Half Shaft

REMOVAL





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: Some halfshafts use a tuned rubber damper weight. When replacing a halfshaft assembly, be sure the replacement halfshaft has the same damper weight as the original.

1. Raise vehicle.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly from the vehicle. Tires and Wheels - Removal
3. With the vehicle's brakes applied to keep hub from turning, loosen the halfshaft nut (2).
4. Remove the nut (2) from the halfshaft (1).




5. Remove the two front disc brake caliper adapter to steering knuckle attaching bolts (4).




6. Remove the disc brake caliper assembly from the steering knuckle. Caliper assembly is removed by first rotating top of caliper assembly away from steering knuckle (1) and then removing bottom of assembly out from under machined abutment on steering knuckle (1).
7. Support disc brake caliper assembly by using a wire hook (4) and suspending it from the strut assembly (5). Do not allow the brake caliper assembly to hang by the brake flex hose (2).




8. Remove the brake rotor from the hub and bearing assembly.
9. Remove the steering knuckle-to-strut attachment bolts (2) from the steering knuckle (3).




10. Pull the steering knuckle from the strut clevis bracket.

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.

11. Pull steering knuckle assembly down and away from the outer C/V joint of the half shaft assembly while pulling the joint out of the hub bearing.
12. Support the outer end of the halfshaft assembly. Insert a pry bar between inner tripod joint and transaxle case (2). Pry against inner tripod joint (1), until tripod joint retaining snap-ring is disengaged from transaxle side gear.




13. Pull the steering knuckle from the strut clevis bracket.
14. Pull steering knuckle assembly down and away from the outer C/V joint of the half shaft assembly while pulling the joint out of the intermediate shaft.




15. Remove the bolts (2) holding the mid-shaft bearing (3) to the support bracket from the block (1) (BG6 manual trans).
16. Remove the intermediate shaft (4).




17. On 2.0L with the T355 manual transmission, Pull steering knuckle assembly down and away from the outer C/V joint of the half shaft assembly while pulling the halfshaft (1) out of the transmission.




18. Remove the bolts at the heat shield and remove the heat shield (3) (if equipped).
19. Remove the three bolts (1) holding the mid-shaft bearing (2) to the block.




20. Remove the intermediate shaft (1).