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.

Preliminary Procedure

1. Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
2. Remove the knuckle assembly as one unit. Do not remove the caliper bracket, hub or disc. Refer to Knuckle Replacement.

1

Rear Wheel Drive Shaft

Procedure

1. Place drain pans underneath the vehicle as needed.
2. Tap out the rear wheel drive shaft from the rear axle using a brass drift and a mallet.
3. On installation, lubricate the rear wheel drive shaft's splines with rear axle lubricant to help ease installation. Press in the shaft until the circlip engages.
4. After repairs, check the rear axle lubricant level. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement.