Special Tools

Warning: 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.

Caution: Wheel drive shaft boots, seals and clamps should be protected from sharp objects any time service is performed on or near the wheel drive shaft(s). Damage to the boot(s), the seal(s) or the clamp(s) may cause lubricant to leak from the joint and lead to increased noise and possible failure of the wheel drive shaft.

Note: The following service procedure can be used for both left and right front wheel drive shafts.

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
3. Remove the wheelhouse panel from the vehicle. Refer to Front Wheelhouse Front Liner Replacement.




Note: The following procedure is to ensure that the wheel drive shaft assembly does not rotate while the nut is being removed.

4. Insert a punch or brass drift in the brake rotor so that the brass drift or punch rest against the brake caliper mounting bracket.
5. Using a breaker bar and socket, loosen the wheel drive shaft nut.




Note: DO NOT re-use the wheel drive shaft nut, discard and use NEW.

6. Remove the wheel drive shaft nut.
7. Using the appropriate tool, remove the wheel drive shaft from the steering knuckle.

Note: In the following service procedure, it is NOT necessary to completely remove the tie rod end. Only remove the tie rod end form the steering knuckle ONLY.

8. Remove the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement.
9. Remove the stabilizer shaft link at the stabilizer bar and secure. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement.
10. Remove the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement.
11. Remove and relocate the suspension module to the side and secure.

Note: The following service procedure can be used on vehicles that are Front Wheel Drive (FWD) left side only, as well as vehicles equipped with All Wheel Drive (AWD).

12. Assemble the J-2619-O1 hammer , the J-29794 extension , and the J-33008-A puller .



13. Using the J-2619-O1 hammer , the J-29794 extension , and the J-33008-A puller , disengage the wheel drive shaft enough to install J-44394 protector .




Caution: J-44394 must be installed into the differential output shaft seal prior to removing and installing the wheel drive shaft. Failure to install J-44394 as indicated may cause the splines of the wheel drive shaft to cut the differential output seal.

14. Carefully install the J-44394 protector over the wheel drive shaft.
15. Carefully slide the J-44394 protector into the differential output shaft seal.



16. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the vehicle.

Caution: J-44394 must be installed into the differential output shaft seal prior to removing and installing the wheel drive shaft. Failure to install J-44394 as indicated may cause the splines of the wheel drive shaft to cut the differential output seal.

1. If previously removed, carefully install J-44394 protector into the differential output shaft seal.




Note: In order to prevent lubricant leaks, use care when installing the wheel drive shaft to the differential. Do not damage the oil seal. Replace the oil seal if it becomes nicked, distorted, or otherwise damaged.

2. Carefully install the wheel drive shaft into the differential until the splines are past the J-44394 protector .



3. Carefully remove the J-44394 protector from the differential output shaft seal.



4. Carefully continue installing the wheel drive shaft until the retaining ring is fully seated.
5. Verify the front wheel drive shaft retaining ring is properly seated:

•	Grasp the inner housing and pull the inner housing outward. Do not pull on the front wheel drive axle shaft.

•	The front wheel drive axle will remain in place when the front wheel drive shaft retaining ring is properly seated.

6. Install the wheel drive shaft into suspension module.
7. Install the lower ball joint in the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement.
8. Install the outer tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement.
9. Install the stabilizer link to the stabilizer bar. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement.



10. Install the wheel drive shaft nut, tighten by hand.



11. Insert a brass drift or punch in the brake rotor so that it rest against the brake caliper mounting bracket.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

12. Using a torque wrench and socket, tighten the wheel drive shaft nut to 235 N·m (173 lb ft).
13. Install the wheel house panel on the vehicle. Refer to Front Wheelhouse Front Liner Replacement.
14. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
15. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.
16. Check the fluid level of the transmission. Refer to Transmission Fluid Check.