Procedure B: Axle Shaft Removal

1. Remove the brake drum.

2. Disconnect and remove the parking brake cable from the brake backing plate.

To disconnect the parking brake cable from the brake lever, please note the following.

2001 Frontier/Xterra





^ Remove and discard the clip securing the parking brake rod pin (see top of Figure B1).

^ Remove the parking brake pin and rod.

2002-03 Frontier/Xterra

^ Remove the cable spring from the cable guide (see middle of Figure B1).

^ Allow the spring to fully relax (see lower of Figure B1).

^ Remove the cable end from the parking brake lever.





3. Disconnect the hydraulic brake line from the wheel cylinder. Then cap off the brake line with the rubber dust cap from the wheel cylinder bleeder screw (see Figure B2).

IMPORTANT:
Use a flare nut wrench when loosening the brake line nut. A regular openend wrench can "round-off" the nut.

4. Insert a "Wheel Cylinder Plug" (from kit # J-46215-4) into the wheel cylinder opening. This will keep dust and debris out during the procedure (see Figure B2).





5. Remove the four nuts that secure the wheel bearing cage and backing plate to the axle housing (see Figure B3).





6. Remove the axle shaft and brake backing plate assembly from the housing (see Figure B4).

^ The axle shaft will have gear oil on it.

^ Wipe the gear oil off of the axle shaft.

^ Do not wipe the gear oil into the axle housing or axle bearing.

7. Remove the old axle shaft seal from the axle housing as follows:





A. Insert the legs of the Seal Remover # J-26941 into the center of the axle shaft seal and tighten the thumb screw until the legs fully contact the inner metal "ring" portion of the seal (see Figure B5).





B. Attach Slide Hammer # J-23907 to the Seal Remover and pull the old axle shaft seal out (see Figure B6).

NOTE:
When pulling out the seal:

^ Periodically rotate (turn) the Seal Remover tool 180°. This will even out" the pulling "pressure" on the seal inner metal ring.

^ Apply constant "pulling" tension on the seal as you're "slide-hammering".





8. Remove and discard the old 0-ring from the axle housing (see Figure B7).

9. Return to the "Repair Flow Chart" for further instructions.