Removal and Replacement
DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLYREMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
CAUTION
^ Do not strike the ABS rotors installed to the BJ or EBJ outer race of drive shaft against other parts when removing or installing the drive shaft. Otherwise the ABS rotors will be damaged.
^ Be careful not to strike the pole piece at the tip of the front wheel speed sensor with tools during servicing work.
Pre-installation & Post-installation Operation:
Removal Steps 1-11:
Required Special Tools:
REMOVAL SERVICE POINTS
<> DRIVE SHAFT NUT REMOVAL
CAUTION: Do not apply pressure to the wheel bearing by the vehicle weight to avoid possible damage when the drive shaft nut is loosened.
Use special tool MB990767 to fix the hub and remove the drive shaft nut.
<> SELF LOCKING NUT (LOWER ARM BALL JOINT/TIE ROD END CONNECTION) REMOVAL
CAUTION:
^ Do not remove the nut from ball joint. Loosen it and use the special tool to avoid possible damage to ball joint threads.
^ Hang the special tool with cord to prevent it from falling.
1. Replace the self locking nut with a regular nut, because the original one is too large to allow installation of the special tool. Install special tool MB991897 as shown in the figure.
2. Turn the bolt and knob as necessary to make the jaws of special tool MB991897 parallel, tighten the bolt by hand and confirm that the jaws are still parallel.
NOTE: When adjusting the jaws in parallel, make sure the knob is in the position shown in the figure.
3. Tighten the bolt with a wrench to disconnect the tie rod end and remove the self locking nut.
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1. Use special tools MB990242, MB990244, MB991354 and MB990767 to push out the drive shaft or the drive shaft and inner shaft assembly from the hub.
2. Remove the drive shaft from the hub by pulling the bottom of the brake disc towards you.
CAUTION:
^ Do not pull on the drive shaft; doing so will damage the TJ or PTJ; be sure to use the pry bar.
^ When pulling the drive shaft out from the transaxle, be careful that the spline part of the drive shaft does not damage the oil seal.
3. Insert a pry bar between the transaxle case and the drive shaft, and then pry and remove the drive shaft from the transaxle.
NOTE: Insert a pry bar, taking care not to damage the protrusion of transaxle case when removing the drive shaft LH.
4. If the inner shaft is hard to remove from the transaxle, strike the bracket assembly lightly with a plastic hammer and remove the inner shaft.
CAUTION: Do not apply pressure to the wheel bearing by the vehicle weight to avoid possible damage when the drive shaft is removed. If, however, vehicle weight must be applied to the bearing to move the vehicle, temporarily secure the wheel bearing by using special tools MB991000 and MB990998.
INSTALLATION SERVICE POINTS
>>A<< DRIVE SHAFT AND INNER SHAFT ASSEMBLY <3.8L ENGINE-RH>/DRIVE SHAFT INSTALLATION
CAUTION: When installing the drive shaft or the drive shaft and inner shaft assembly, be careful that the spline part of the drive shaft or the drive shaft and inner shaft assembly do not damage the oil seal.
>>B<< DRIVE SHAFT NUT INSTALLATION
1. Be sure to install the drive shaft washer in the specified direction.
CAUTION: Before securely tightening the drive shaft nuts, make sure there is no load on the wheel bearings. Otherwise the wheel bearing will be damaged.
2. Using special tool MB990767, tighten the drive shaft nut to the specified torque.
Tightening torque: 226 ± 29 Nm (167 ± 21 ft. lbs.)