Drive/Propeller Shaft: Service and Repair

Propeller Shaft

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 the ground cable from battery.
2. Shift the select lever or gear shift lever to neutral.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Lift-up the vehicle.
5. Remove the center exhaust pipe.
6. Remove the rear exhaust pipe and muffler.





7. Remove the heat shield cover.





8. Make matching marks on the flange yoke and rear differential before removal.
9. Remove the three bolts which hold propeller shaft to rear differential.
10. Remove the remaining bolt.





11. Remove the two bolts which hold center bearing to vehicle body.





12. Remove the propeller shaft from transmission.

CAUTION:
^ Be careful not to damage oil seals and frictional surface of sleeve yoke.
^ Cover the center exhaust pipe with a cloth to keep off any ATF or oil spilled from transmission when removing propeller shaft.

NOTE: Use a container to catch ATF or oil flowing from propeller shaft.





13. 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.

INSTALLATION





1. Insert the sleeve yoke into the transmission and attach center bearing to body.
Tightening torque: 52 Nm (5.3 kgf-cm, 38.3 ft. lbs.)





2. Align the matching marks and connect the flange yoke and rear differential.
Tightening torque: 31 Nm (3.2 kgf-cm, 23.1 ft. lbs.)
3. Install the heat shield cover.
4. Install the center exhaust pipe.
5. Install the rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
6. Lower the vehicle.
7. Connect the battery ground cable to battery.

INSPECTION

NOTE: Do not disassemble propeller shaft. Check the following and replace if necessary.
^ Tube surface for dents of cracks
^ Splines for deformation or abnormal wear
^ Joints for non-smooth operation or abnormal noise
^ Center bearing for free play, noise or nonsmooth operation.
^ Oil seals for abnormal wear or damage
^ Center bearing for breakage
Check the following points with propeller shaft installed in vehicle.

JOINTS AND CONNECTIONS
1. Remove the center exhaust pipe.
2. Remove the heat shield cover.
3. Check for any looseness of the yoke flange mounting bolts which connect to rear differential and center bearing bracket mounting bolts.

SPLINES AND BEARING
1. Remove the center exhaust pipe.
2. Remove the rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
3. Remove the heat shield cover.





4. Turn the 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 the center exhaust pipe.
2. Remove the rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
3. Remove the heat shield cover.
4. Set the dial gauge with its indicator stem at center of propeller shaft tube.





5. Turn the propeller shaft slowly by hands to check for runout of propeller shaft.
Runout: Service limit 0.6 mm (0.024 inch)

CENTER BEARING FREE PLAY
1. Remove the front and center exhaust pipe.
2. Remove the rear exhaust pipe and muffler.
3. Remove the heat shield cover.





4. Move the propeller shaft near center bearing up and down, and left and right with your hand to check for any abnormal bearing free play.