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.

1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
2. Remove the wheel and the tire. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
3. Insert a brass drift or punch (1) between the brake rotor cooling fins (2) and the brake caliper mounting bracket (4).
4. Using the appropriate size socket and breaker bar (4), loosen the wheel drive shaft nut (3).

Note: DO NOT re-use the wheel drive shaft nut. Discard the nut and replace with NEW.

5. Remove the wheel drive shaft nut (2) from the wheel drive shaft (1).



6. Using the J 42129 (2), separate the brake rotor and wheel bearing/hub assembly (1).
7. Remove the outer tie rod assembly from the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement.
8. Remove the ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement.



9. Using the J 2619-01 (3), the J 29794 (2), and the J 33008-A (3), remove the wheel drive shaft (4) 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. Install the J 44394-A 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-A .



3. Remove the J 44394-A from the differential output shaft seal.
4. Installing the wheel drive shaft into the differential until the retaining ring is fully seated.
5. Confirm that the front wheel drive shaft retaining ring is properly seated by holding the inner housing and pull the inner housing outward.



6. Install the front wheel drive shaft into the front wheel bearing/hub.
7. Install the ball joint to the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement.
8. Install the outer tie rod assembly to the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement.



9. Install the NEW wheel drive shaft nut (2) on the wheel drive shaft (1).



10. Insert a drift or punch (5) into the cooling fin of the brake rotor (4) caliper and against the brake caliper mounting (1) bracket.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

11. Using a torque wrench and the appropriate size socket (3), tighten the wheel drive shaft nut (2) to 215 N·m (159 lb ft).
12. Install the wheel and the tire. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
13. Lower the vehicle.
14. Inspect the transaxle fluid level. Refer to Transmission Fluid Check.