Special Tools

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
2. Remove the front tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
3. Disconnect the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle. Do NOT loosen the tie rod end jam nut. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement.
4. Insert a drift or punch (2) into the brake rotor and against the brake caliper mounting bracket, in order to prevent the wheel hub and bearing from turning.

Important: The wheel drive shaft spindle nut must not be reused. Replace the wheel drive shaft spindle nut with a new nut whenever it is removed.

5. Remove and discard the front wheel drive shaft spindle nut (1) retaining the wheel drive shaft to the hub.




Important: Be sure that the wheel speed sensor wiring harness is repositioned away from the ball joint, after disconnecting the electrical connector from the sensor.

6. Disconnect the electrical connector from the wheel speed sensor and reposition the wiring harness away from the ball joint.
7. Disconnect the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to Shock Absorber and Spring Assembly Replacement.



8. Install the J 45859 or equivalent onto the wheel hub and secure with wheel nuts.

Important: Be sure to support the wheel drive shaft until it is fully removed from the vehicle.

9. Using the J 45859 or equivalent, disengage the front wheel drive shaft from the wheel hub and bearing and support the wheel drive shaft.
10. Remove J 45859 or equivalent from the wheel hub.
11. Assemble the J 2619-O1 , the J 29794 , and the J 45341 .
12. Install J 45341 to the wheel drive shaft inner joint pull groove.
13. Using the J 2619-O1 , the J 29794 , and the J 45341 , disengage the wheel drive shaft from the differential enough to install J 44394-A .




Notice: 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-A over the wheel drive shaft.
15. Carefully slide the J 44394-A into the differential output shaft seal.
16. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the vehicle.
17. Remove the J 2619-O1 , the J 29794 , and the J 45341 from the wheel drive shaft inner joint.

1. Inspect the wheel drive shaft retaining ring and replace if necessary.




Notice: 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.

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

Important: 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 is otherwise damaged.




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



4. Carefully remove the J 44394-A from the differential output shaft seal.
5. Carefully continue installing the wheel drive shaft into the differential until the retaining ring is fully seated.
6. Verify that the wheel drive shaft is properly engaged to the differential by grasping the inner joint housing and pulling outward. Do not pull on the wheel drive shaft bar.

The wheel drive shaft will remain firmly in place when properly engaged.




7. Install the front wheel drive shaft to the hub and bearing.
8. Connect the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle. Refer to Shock Absorber and Spring Assembly Replacement.
9. Connect the wheel speed sensor electrical connector.

Important: Ensure that the drive shaft seals do not have any abrasions, cuts, or punctures.

10. Loosely install the NEW wheel drive shaft spindle nut.



11. Insert a drift or punch (1) into the rotor and against the caliper mounting bracket in order to prevent the hub and bearing from turning.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

12. Use the new wheel drive shaft spindle nut to slowly pull the spindle to the wheel hub and bearing assembly.

Tighten
Tighten the wheel drive shaft spindle nut to 215 N·m (159 lb ft).

13. Remove the drift or punch from the rotor.
14. Connect the outer tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement.
15. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
16. Lower the vehicle.