Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints: Service and Repair

Fig. 1 Driveshaft Removal:

1. Remove dust cap and loosen hub center nut (1), Fig. . Do not completely remove nut.
2. Raise and support vehicle, then remove wheel.
3. Remove hub center nut (1), then the ball joint nut (2).
4. Remove ball joint using ball joint tool No. 89 96 696, or equivalent.
5. Remove anti-roll bar nut (4) and collect washer and rubber bushing.
6. Press spring link down.
7. Tap driveshaft out of hub using rubber mallet, then move MacPherson strut aside and pull out driveshaft. Use care to avoid stretching brake hoses and sensor cables.
8. Remove driveshaft joint from intermediate shaft using driveshaft dismantling tool No. 89 96 654, or equivalent.
9. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Torque ball joint to 55 ft. lbs.
b. Torque anti-roll bar nut to 7 ft. lbs.
c. Torque wheel bolts to 87 ft. lbs.
d. Install new hub center nut and torque to 214 ft. lbs. It is self-locking and should not be reused.