Drive/Propeller Shaft: Service and Repair
A: ON-CAR SERVICECheck the following points with propeller shaft installed in vehicle.
Joints And Connections
1. Remove front and center exhaust pipes.
2. Remove heat shield cover.
3. Check for any looseness of yoke flange connecting bolts and center bearing retaining bolts.
Splines And Bearing Locations
1. Remove front and center exhaust pipes.
2. Remove rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
3. Remove heat shield cover.
4. Turn propeller shaft by hand to see if abnormal free play exists at splines. Also move yokes to see if abnormal free play exists at spiders and bearings.
Runout Of Propeller Shaft
1. Remove front and center exhaust pipes.
2. Remove rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
3. Remove heat shield cover.
4. Turn rear wheels by hand to check for "runout" of propeller shaft.
NOTE: Measure runout with a dial gauge at the center of front and rear propeller shaft tubes.
Runout:
Limit: 0.6 mm (0.24 inch)
Center Bearing Free Play
1. Remove front and center exhaust pipes.
2. Remove rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
3. Remove heat shield cover.
4. While holding propeller shaft near center bearing with your hand, move it up and down, and left and right to check for any abnormal bearing free play.
B: REMOVAL
NOTE:
^ Before removing propeller shaft, wrap metal parts with a cloth or rubber material.
^ In case of DOJ type, before removing propeller shaft, wrap metal parts (installed at the rubber boot of center DOJ) with a cloth or rubber material, as shown in the figure. Rubber boot may be damaged due to interference with adjacent metal parts while bending the DOJ during removal.
1. Disconnect ground cable from battery.
2. Move selector lever or gear shift lever to "N".
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Jack-up vehicle and support it with sturdy racks.
5. Remove front and center exhaust pipes.
6. Remove rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
7. Remove heat shield cover.
8. Remove the four bolts which hold propeller shaft to rear differential.
NOTE:
^ Put matching mark on affected parts before removal.
^ Remove all but one bolt.
9. Remove the two bolts which hold center bearing to vehicle body.
10. Remove propeller shaft from transmission.
CAUTION: Be sure not to damage oil seals and the frictional surface of sleeve yoke.
NOTE:
^ Be sure to use an empty oil can to catch oil flowing out when removing propeller shaft.
^ Be sure to plug the opening in transmission after removal of propeller shaft.
11. Install the extension cap to transmission.
NOTE: If extension cap is not available, place vinyl bag over opening and fasten with string to prevent gear oil or ATF from leaking.
C: INSPECTION
NOTE: Do not disassemble propeller shaft. Check the following and replace if necessary.
1. Tube surfaces for dents or cracks
2. Splines for deformation or abnormal wear
3. Joints for non-smooth operation or abnormal noise
4. Center bearing for free play, noise or non smooth operation
5. Oil seals for abnormal wear or damage
6. Center bearing for breakage
D: INSTALLATION
1. Insert sleeve yoke into transmission and attach center bearing to body.
Tightening torque: 52 ± 15 Nm (5.3 ± 0.5 kg-m, 38.3 ± 3.6 ft. lbs.)
2. Align matching marks and connect flange yoke and rear differential.
Tightening torque: 31 ± 8 Nm (3.2 ± 0.8 kg-m, 23.1 ± 5.8 ft. lbs.)
3. Install heat shield cover.
4. Install front and center exhaust pipes.
5. Install rear exhaust pipe and muffler.