Removal Procedure
- Unlock the steering column so that the steering linkage is free to move.
- Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle
with suitable safety stands. Refer to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
in General Information.
- Remove the 2 front tire and wheel assembly. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Tires and
Wheels.
- In
order to prevent the drive axle from turning, insert a drift through the brake caliper
and into one of the rotor vanes.
- Remove the axle nut and washer.
- Remove the drift from the brake rotor.
- Remove the front brake rotors and support the caliper with a piece of
wire in order to prevent damage to the brake hose. Refer to
Front Brake Rotor Replacement
in Disc Brakes.
- Remove the brackets from the upper control
arm holding both the ABS wire and the brake hose.
- Remove the ABS bracket located on the top of the upper control arm ball
joint.
- Strap the frame to the hoist in order
to prevent movement.
Notice: Be careful that the safety stand does not damage or bend
any components it may contact.
- Position a safety stand under the lower control arm.
- Support the weight of the steering knuckle assembly and lower control
arm with a safety stand.
- Disengage the wheel drive shaft from the
hub by placing a brass drift against the outer end of the drive axle in order
to protect the threads. Sharply strike the brass drift with a hammer.
Do not attempt to remove the axle at this time.
- Support the steering knuckle and assembly with a piece of wire in order
to prevent damage to the outer tie rod and ABS wire.
- Disconnect the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to
Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement
in Front Suspension.
- Remove the lower part of shock absorber. Refer to
Shock Absorber Replacement
in Front Suspension.
- Disconnect the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to
Steering Knuckle Replacement
in Front Suspension.
- After the lower ball joint is loose from the knuckle, simultaneously
push the axle shaft in toward the differential carrier in order to allow room
for the knuckle and assembly to be removed.
- Remove the axle from the steering knuckle assembly.
Important: Lower the safety stand from the lower control
arm in order to relieve the pressure of the torsion bar and in order to allow for
clearance.
Do not damage the axle seal during removal of the differential
carrier shield.
- Remove the front differential carrier shield. Refer to
Shield Replacement
.
- Disconnect the left side wheel drive shaft
from the differential carrier by placing a block of wood or a brass drift
against the tripot housing. Firmly strike the block of wood outward from
the case with a hammer. Strike hard enough to overcome the snap ring pressure
holding in the shaft.
- Disconnect the right side wheel drive shaft
from the differential carrier by placing a block of wood or a brass drift
against the tripot housing. Firmly strike the block of wood outward from
the case with a hammer. Strike hard enough to overcome the snap ring pressure
holding in the shaft.
- Pull the axle straight out from the differential
carrier.
- Support the drive axle so as not to tear the boot.
Caution: 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.
- Remove the drive axle.
Installation Procedure
Important: Do not lubricate or damage the differential
carrier axle seals during installation.
- In order to prevent damage to the boot, cover the following components
with a shop towel:
ā¢ | The shock mounting bracket |
ā¢ | The lower control arm ball stud |
ā¢ | All other sharp edges |
- Install the wheel drive shaft to the differential
carrier.
2.1. | With both hands on the tripot housing, align the splines on the shaft
with the differential carrier. |
2.2. | Center the drive axle into the differential carrier seal. |
2.3. | Firmly push the shaft straight into the differential carrier until the
snap ring seats into place. |
Notice: Be careful that the safety stand does not damage or bend
any components it may contact.
- Raise the safety stand to support the weight of the lower control arm.
Important: It will be necessary to slightly start the
knuckle onto the drive axle while simultaneously guiding the lower ball stud to its
proper location on the steering knuckle.
- Reconnect the lower ball joint to the steering knuckle. Refer to
Steering Knuckle Replacement
in Front Suspension.
- Install the lower part of the shock absorber. Refer to
Shock Absorber Replacement
in Front Suspension.
- Reconnect the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle. Refer to
Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement
in Front Suspension.
- Install the drive axle washer and nut.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.
- Install the wheel drive shaft nut.
Tighten
Tighten the nut to 140 NĀ·m (103 lb ft).
- Install the ABS bracket located on the
top of the upper control arm ball joint.
- Install the brackets from the upper control arm holding both the ABS
wire and the brake hose.
- Install the front brake rotors. Refer to
Front Brake Rotor Replacement
in Disc Brakes.
- Install the front differential carrier shield. Refer to
Shield Replacement
in Front Drive Axle.
- Remove the strap from the frame.
- Install the two front tire and wheel assembly. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Tires and Wheels.
- Lower the vehicle.