Wheel Drive Shafts Replacement

Removal Procedure

Caution: To prevent personal injury and/or component damage, do not allow the weight of the vehicle to load the front wheels, or attempt to operate the vehicle, when the wheel drive shaft(s) or wheel drive shaft nut(s) are removed. To do so may cause the inner bearing race to separate, resulting in damage to brake and suspension components and loss of vehicle control.

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the front tire and wheel assembly.





3. Remove the 1 bolt (2) and the ABS speed sensor (3) from the steering knuckle, if necessary.





4. Unstake the wheel drive shaft nut (1).
5. Remove the wheel drive shaft nut and the washer.

Notice: Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Damage Notice in Service Precautions.





6. Remove the ball stud bolt (1). The ball stud bolt is threaded into the steering knuckle (3).
7. Separate the control arm (2) from the steering knuckle.

Important: On the manual transmission model, an intermediate shaft (2) between the inner joint (4) and the transaxle stabilizes the right wheel drive shaft assembly. It is not necessary to remove the intermediate shaft.





8. Remove the right wheel drive shaft assembly (1) from the intermediate shaft bearing (2) by gently tapping with a plastic mallet.

Notice: Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Handling Notice in Service Precautions.





9. Remove the inner joint (1) from the transaxle (2) by gently prying the inner joint from the transaxle.

Notice: When servicing the hub assembly, be careful not to damage the ABS components. If any of the ABS components are damaged, the ABS system may not function properly and the damaged component will need to be replaced.





10. Remove the outer joint (1) from the steering knuckle and the wheel drive shaft assembly from the vehicle.





11. Inspect the inner joint boots (1) and the outer joint boots for tears or for deterioration. Replace the boots, if necessary. Refer to Inner Joint and Seal Replacement or to Outer Joint and Seal Replacement.
12. Inspect the inner oil seals and the outer oil seals on in the front wheel bearing for damage or for deterioration. Replace the seals, if necessary. Refer to Wheel Bearing/Hub Replacement - Front in Steering and Suspension.
13. Inspect the fluid seals of the wheel drive shaft at the transaxle for leakage or for damage. Replace the fluid seals, if necessary. Refer to Drive Axle Shaft Fluid Seal or to Axle Shaft Oil Seal Replacement.

Installation Procedure





1. Install the outer joint (1) into the steering knuckle.
2. Install the inner joint into the transaxle or into the intermediate shaft.





3. Install the control arm (2) to the steering knuckle.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

4. Install the ball stud bolt. The ball stud bolt is threaded into the steering knuckle.
Tighten the ball stud bolt to 60 Nm (44 ft. lbs.).





5. Install the wheel drive shaft washer and the nut (1) onto the wheel drive shaft.
Tighten the wheel drive shaft nut to 175 Nm (129 ft. lbs.).
6. Stake the wheel drive shaft nut (1).





7. Install the ABS speed sensor (3) into the steering knuckle, if necessary.
Tighten the ABS speed sensor bolt (2) to 10 Nm (8 ft. lbs.).
8. Install the front tire and wheel assembly.
9. Lower the vehicle.
10. Check the transaxle fluid level. Refer to Transmission Fluid Checking Procedure.