Removal/Installation
Halfshaft AssemblyRemoval
CAUTION: When removing both the LH and RH halfshafts, Shipping Plugs T81P-1177-B or equivalent must be installed. Failure to use these tools can result in dislocation of the differential side gears. Should the gears become misaligned, the differential will have to be removed from the transaxle to re-align the gears.
NOTE: Halfshaft assembly removal and installation procedures are the same for ATX/FLC applications as for MTX applications EXCEPT:
Due to the ATX/FLC case configuration, the RH halfshaft assembly must be removed first. Differential Rotator T8iP-4026-A or equivalent is then inserted into the transaxle to drive the LH inboard CV joint assembly from the transaxle. It only the LH halfshaft assembly is to be removed for service, remove the RH halfshaft assembly from the transaxle only After removal, support it with a length of wire, then drive the LH halfshaft assembly from the transaxle.
CAUTION: Do not begin this removal procedure unless the following parts are known to be available:
^ A new hub retainer nut (Step 1).
^ A new lower control arm-to-steering knuckle attaching bolt and nut (Step 4).
^ A new inboard CV joint stub shaft circlip.
Once removed, these parts must not be reused during assembly. Their torque holding ability or retention capability is diminished during removal.
1. Remove wheelcover/hub cover from the wheel and tire assembly and loosen the wheel nuts. Remove hub retainer nut and washer by applying sufficient torque to the nut to break the locking tab and remove the retainer nut. Do not use tools such as a screwdriver or chisel to remove the locking tab. The retainer nut must be discarded after removal.
2. After raising vehicle and removing wheel and tire assembly, remove the hub retainer nut and washer.
CAUTION:Discard the hub retainer nut. It is a torque prevailing design and can not be reused.
3. Remove brake hose retaining clip bolt from suspension strut.
4. Remove nut from ball joint-to-steering knuckle retaining bolt.
5. Drive bolt out of steering knuckle using a punch and hammer.
CAUTION: Discard the bolt and nut. They are at a torque prevailing design and cannot be reused.
6. Separate ball joint from steering knuckle using a pry bar.
Position the end of the pry bar outside of bushing pocket to avoid damage to bushing.
Use care to prevent damage to ball joint boot or CV joint boot.
NOTE:The lower control arm ball joint fits into a pocket formed in the plastic disc brake rotor shield. This shield must be bent back away from the ball joint while prying the ball joint out of the steering knuckle.
7. Remove halfshaft from the differential housing, using a pry bar. Position pry bar between differential housing and CV joint assembly.
CAUTION: Extreme care must be taken not to damage the differential oil seal, case, CV joint boot or the transaxle.
8. Support end of shaft by suspending from a convenient underbody component with a length of wire.
CAUTION:Do not allow the shaft to hang unsupported as damage to the outboard CV joint may result.
9. Separate outboard CV joint from the hub using Front Hub Remover/Replacer T81P-1104-C, Metric Hub Remover Adapters T83P-1104-BH and Front Hub Installer T81P-1104-A or equivalent.
CAUTION:Never use a hammer to separate the outboard CV joint stub shaft from the hub. Damage to the CV joint threads and internal components will result.
Fig. 3 Outer CV Joint Separation From Hub:
Installation
1. Install a new circlip on the inboard CV joint stub shaft.
The outboard CV joint stub shaft does not have a circlip.
NOTE: To install the circlip properly, start one end in the groove and work the circlip over the stub shaft end and into the groove. This will avoid over.expanding the circlip.
CAUTION: The circlip must not be reused. A new circlip must be installed each time the inboard CV joint is installed into the transaxle differential.
2. Carefully align splines of inboard CV joint stub shaft with the splines in the differential. Exerting some force, push CV joint into differential until the circlip is felt to seat in the differential side gear.
Use care to prevent damage to the differential oil seal.
NOTE: A non-metallic mallet may be used to aid in seating the circlip into the differential side gear groove. If a mallet is necessary, tap only on the outboard CV joint stub shaft.
3. Carefully align splines of outboard CV joint stub shaft with splines in hub and push the shaft into the hub as far as possible.
Use Front Hub Remover/Replacer T81P-1104-C and Front Hub Installer T81P-1104-A and Metric Hub Remover Adapters T83P-1104-BH or equivalent to complete the installation.
CAUTION: The center thread of Front Hub Remover/Replacer T81P-1104-C or equivalent must be oiled before installation and tightening. Failure to lubricate the threads could result in an inaccurate torque wrench reading.
4. Connect control arm to steering knuckle and install a new nut and bolt.
5. Tighten nut to 54-74 N.m (40-54 lb-ft).
CAUTION: A new bolt and nut must be installed.
6. Position brake hose routing clip on suspension strut and install retaining bolt.
7. Tighten bolt to 11 N.m (8 lb-ft).
8. Install hub retainer nut washer and a new hub retainer nut. Manually thread the hub retainer nut onto CV joint shaft as far as possible.
CAUTION: A new hub retainer nut must be installed.
9. Install wheel and tire assembly and lower vehicle.
10. Tighten wheel nuts to 108-144 N.m (80-105 lb-ft).
11. Using a 3O mm (1-3/16-inch) socket, tighten hub retainer nut to 244-271 N.m (180-200 lb-ft). During tightening, an audible click will indicate the proper ratchet function of the hub retainer nut. As the hub retainer nut tightens, be sure that one of the three locking tabs on the hub retainer nut is aligned with the slot in the CV joint shaft. If the hub retainer nut is damaged or more than one locking tab is broken, replace the hub retainer nut.
12. Fill transaxle to proper level with specified lubricant MERCON�