Rear Axle Halfshafts, Bearings and Seals

Rear Axle Halfshafts, Bearings and Seals








Special Tool(s)





Material

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 are 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, position on a hoist.
2. Remove the rear wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove the components in the order indicated in the illustration and table.











4. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
5. Fill the axle with the specified quantity of the specified lubricant.

Item 1: Rear Disc Brake Caliper Removal Note

1. CAUTION: Do not allow the caliper to hang from the brake hose. Provide a suitable support.

Position the rear disc brake caliper aside.

Item 2: Rear Axle Wheel Hub Retainer and Washer Removal Note





1. CAUTION: Do not use a hammer to separate the rear axle halfshaft assembly from the hub. Damage to the threads and internal CV joint components can result.

CAUTION: Once the rear axle halfshaft assembly separates from the hub, the knuckle will continue to pivot until the brake backing plate presses against the suspension lower arm. To prevent damage to the brake backing plate, immediately after separating the outboard CV joint from the hub, rest the knuckle on a cushioned support that is tall enough to keep the backing plate from pressing against the suspension lower arm.

Separate the rear axle halfshaft assembly from the hub.
1 Using the special tool, press the outboard CV joint until it is loose in the hub.
2 Remove the special tool.
3 Separate the outboard CV joint from the hub.

Item 6: Rear Halfshaft Assembly Removal Note





1. CAUTION: Support the rear suspension upper arm to prevent boot damage when removing the halfshaft assembly from the vehicle.

Using a wood stick approximately 450 mm (18 inch) long and 25 mm (1 inch) wide, support the rear suspension upper arm.





2. 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 the 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.





3. 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.





4. For the inboard CV joint, carry out the following:
1 Remove and discard the boot clamps.
2 Remove the inboard CV joint housing.





5. For the inboard CV joint, carry out the following:
1 Remove and discard the retainer circlip.
2 Slide the boot away from the CV joint.





6. Using a suitable Claw puller, remove the CV joint.





7. Remove and discard the tri-lobe insert and the boot.





8. NOTE: The outboard CV joint is not removable from the halfshaft. The boot must be removed or installed from the inboard CV joint side of the shaft.

For the outboard CV joint, carry out the following:
1 Remove and discard the boot clamps.
2 Remove and discard the boot.





9. If necessary, press the brake anti-lock sensor indicator from the outer CV joint.

Item 7: Rear Stub Shaft Housing Bearing and Seal Removal Note





1. NOTE: If only a new rear stub shaft housing bearing seal is to be installed, engage the special tool tangs on the seal.

Remove the stub shaft housing bearing and stub shaft housing bearing seal.
1 Install the special tool with the tangs firmly engaged on the stub shaft housing bearing.
2 Remove the stub shaft housing bearing and stub shaft housing bearing seal.

Item 7: Rear Stub Shaft Housing Bearing and Seal Installation Note





1. Lubricate the stub shaft housing bearing with axle lubricant. Place the stub shaft housing bearing on the special tool.





2. Install the stub shaft housing axle housing bore.





3. Lubricate the lips of the stub shaft housing bearing seal with rear axle lubricant. Place the seal on the special tool.





4. CAUTION: Installation of the stub shaft housing bearing and seal without the correct tool can result in an early bearing or seal failure. If the bearing or seal become cocked during installation, remove it and install a new one.

Carefully align the stub shaft housing bearing seal with the housing bore and install the seal.

Item 6: Rear Halfshaft Assembly Installation Note





1. For the outboard CV joint, carry out the following:
1 Slide the boot on the interconnecting shaft.
2 Pack the outboard CV joint with 225 grams (7.93 oz.) of grease.
3 Spread any remaining grease evenly inside the boot.
4 Install the boot by seating it in the groove in the CV joint housing.





2. Using the special tool, install the boot clamps.
3. If necessary, install a new brake anti-lock sensor indicator on the outer CV joint.





4. CAUTION: To prevent damage to the axle shaft oil seal, install the Differential 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.

Install a new retainer circlip.





5. For the inboard CV joint, carry out the following:
1 Position the clamp on the interconnecting shaft.
2 Position the boot on the interconnecting shaft.
3 Install the tri-lobe insert.





6. Using the special tool, install the CV joint.





7. Install the retainer circlip.





8. For the inboard CV joint, carry out the following:
1 Pack the inboard CV joint housing with 250 grams (8.82 oz.) of grease.
2 Spread any remaining grease evenly inside the boot and CV joint.
3 Install the inboard CV joint housing, seating the boot in the groove in the housing.





9. Set the halfshaft assembled length to specifications.
1 Measure the entire assembly length.
2 Push in or pull out on the inner joint as necessary to adjust the halfshaft assembled length.
3 Hold the inner joint to prevent the assembled length from changing, and insert a small flat-blade screwdriver between the boot and the joint to equalize the pressure.





10. Using the special tool, install both boot clamps.

Item 2: Rear Axle Wheel Hub Retainer and Washer Installation Note

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

Install a new rear axle wheel hub retainer and washer.