Drive/Propeller Shaft: Service and Repair

PROPELLER SHAFT REMOVAL
1. REMOVE EXHAUST FRONT PIPE

2. REMOVE HEAT INSULATOR
Remove the six bolts and the heat insulator.

3. REMOVE CROSSMEMBER BRACES
(a) Remove the front center floor crossmember brace.

(b) Remove the rear center floor crossmember brace.

4. REMOVE PROPELLER SHAFT
(a) Using SST. loosen the adjusting nut until it can be turned by hand. SST 09631-22050

HINT: Use two of the same type of SST.

(b) Place matchmarks on the transmission companion flange and flexible coupling.
(c) Remove the three bolts installed from the transmission side.

NOTICE: The bolt: installed from the propeller shaft side should not be removed.

(d) Place matchmarks on the differential companion flange and flexible coupling.
(e) Remove the three bolts installed from the differential side.

NOTICE: The bolts installed from the propeller shaft side should not be removed.

(f) Separate the flexible couplings from the transmission and differential.

HINT: If the flexible coupling can not be easily separated by hand, insert a screwdriver into the bolt hole of the flexible coupling as shown in the image, then pry the coupling out.

NOTICE: Do not bring the screwdriver blade in direct contact with the flexible coupling's rubber portion.

(g) Remove the two center support bearing set bolts and the adjusting washers.

HINT: Some vehicles are not equipped with an adjusting washer.

NOTICE: When removing the set bolts, support the center support bearing by hand so that the transmission and intermediate shaft. and propeller shaft and differential, remain in a straight line.

Maximum joint angle: 5°

(h) Push the rear propeller shaft straight forward to compress the propeller shaft and pull out the propeller shaft from the centering pin of the differential.

NOTICE: Press the propeller shaft straight ahead to keep the transmission and intermediate shaft aligned straight.

(i) Pull the propeller shaft out toward the vehicle's rear.

NOTICE: The intermediate shaft and propeller shaft should not be separated.

CENTER SUPPORT BEARING AND FLEXIBLE COUPLING INSPECTION
1. INSPECT CENTER SUPPORT BEARING
Check for cracks in or damage to the cushion. Check if the bearing turns smoothly. If the center support bearing is damaged, worn or does not turn smoothly, replace it.

2. INSPECT FLEXIBLE COUPLINGS
Check for cracks in or damage to the front and rear flexible couplings. If the flexible coupling is damaged, replace the propeller shaft assembly.

3. INSPECT FLEXIBLE COUPLING CENTERING BUSHING
Check for damage to the bushing. If the bushing is damaged, replace the propeller shaft assembly.

CENTER SUPPORT BEARING REPLACEMENT
1. SEPARATE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND PROPELLER SHAFT
(a) Place matchmarks on the intermediate shaft and propeller shaft.
(b) Separate the intermediate shaft and propeller shaft.
(c) Remove the dust boot from the propeller shaft.

HINT: If the dust boot is reused, remove it after wrapping vinyl tape around the spline, so it will not be damaged.

2. REMOVE CENTER SUPPORT BEARING
(a) Using a snap ring expander, remove the snap ring.

(b) Using SST, remove the center support bearing and dust deflector. SST 09950-20017

3. INSPECT INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND PROPELLER SHAFT RUNOUT
Maximum runout: 0.8 mm (0.031 in.). If the runout is greater than the maximum, replace the propeller shaft assembly.

4. INSPECT SPIDER BEARING
(a) Check if the spider bearing rotates smoothly.
(b) Check if there is any play in the spider bearing. If necessary. replace the propeller shaft.

5. INSTALL CENTER SUPPORT BEARING
(a) Using SST and a press, install the center support bearing. SST 09330-50010

(b) Using SST and a press, install a new dust deflector. SST 09330-50010

6. ASSEMBLE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND PROPELLER SHAFT
(a) Install the dust boot.

NOTICE: Assemble after wrapping vinyl tap. around the spun, so it will not damage the boot.

(b) Apply grease to the spline. Grease: Molybdenum disulphide lithium base. NLGI No.2.

(c) Align the matchmarks and assemble the intermediate shaft and propeller shaft.
(d) Cover the adjusting nut with the dust boot.

NOTICE: The directions of the intermediate shaft companion flange and the propeller shaft companion flange should differ by 180°.

(e) Tighten the adjusting nut fully by hand.

PROPELLER SHAFT INSTALLATION
1. INSTALL PROPELLER SHAFT
(a) Apply grease to the flexible coupling centering bushings. Grease: Molybdenum disulphide lithium base, NLGI No.1 or No.2.

(b) Install the propeller shaft from the vehicle's rear and connect the transmission and differential.

NOTICE: Support the center support bearing by hand so that the transmission and intermediate shaft. and propeller shaft and differential. remain in a straight line.

(c) Temporarily install the center support bearing set bolts with the adjusting washers.

HINT: Use the adjusting washers which were removed.

(d) Align the matchmarks and connect the propeller shaft to the transmission.
(e) Coat the threads of the three bolts with engine oil.
(f) Install the three bolts, washers and nuts.

NOTICE: Bolts should be installed from the transmission side.
Torque: 79 N.m (805 kgf.cm, 58 ft.lbf)

(g) Align the matchmarks and install the propeller shaft on the differential with the three bolts, washers and nuts.

NOTICE: Bolts should be installed from the differential side.
Torque: 79 N.m (805 kgf.cm, 58 ft.lbf)

HINT: Install the bolts using the indentation on the underside of the differential carrier.

(h) Torque the center support bearing set bolts.
Torque: 37 N.m (375 kgf.cm, 27 ft.lbf)

HINT:
^ Adjust the center support bearing to keep the intervals as shown with the vehicle in the unladen condition.
^ Under the same condition, check if the center line of the center support bearing is at right angles to the shaft axial direction.

(i) Using SST, tighten the adjusting nut. SST 09631-22050
Torque: 53 N.m (540 kgf.cm, 39 ft.lbf

HINT: Use a torque wrench with a fulcrum length of 35 cm (13.8 in.).

2. INSPECT JOINT ANGLE

NOTICE: The joint angle should by all means be checked when the propeller shaft is removed and installed.

3. INSTALL CROSSMEMBER BRACES
(a) Install the front center floor crossmember brace.
Torque: 13 N.m (130 kgf.cm, 9 ft.lbf)

(b) Install the rear center floor crossmember brace.
Torque: 13 N.m (130 kgf.cm, 9 ft.lbf)

4. INSTALL HEAT INSULATOR
Install the heat insulator with six bolts.
Torque: 5.4 N.m (55 kgf.cm, 48 in.lbf)

5. INSTALL EXHAUST FRONT PIPE