Tools Required

Caution: To avoid any vehicle damage, serious personal injury or death when major components are removed from the vehicle and the vehicle is supported by a hoist, support the vehicle with jack stands at the opposite end from which the components are being removed and strap the vehicle to the hoist.




1. Raise the vehicle.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly on the side that requires axle seal removal.



3. Drain the transaxle lubricant by removing the transaxle drain plug (1).



4. Remove the tie rod end nut and discard.




Notice: Do not attempt to separate the joint using a wedge-type tool because seal may be damaged.

5. Using the SA91100C or equivalent, separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle.



6. Remove the lower control arm to steering knuckle nut and bolt.

Notice: Be careful not to allow steering knuckle to contact the ball stud seal. Contact may cause the seal to rip, requiring control arm replacement.

Important: Place a cloth over the ball stud boot protecting it from damage caused by contact with the steering knuckle.

7. Separate the lower control arm from the steering knuckle.




Notice: To prevent damage to CV Joint boots, be careful not to allow them to contact other parts during the removal/installation process. Also, never pull on the shaft assembly.

8. Using a pry bar, remove the drive axle from the transaxle.
9. Leave the axle in the steering knuckle, and tie the drive axle out of the way.



10. Remove the axle seal using the SA9133T-1 .

10.1.

Remove the dust cover by prying out with a screwdriver.

10.2.

Remove the seal by threading the puller through the steel seal body as close to the outside diameter as possible.

1. Clean the seal bore in housing.
2. Apply a light bead of LOCTITE 515® gasket eliminator sealant P/N 21005993 or equivalent on the diameter of the seal that presses into the case bore.

Notice: Prior to using Axle Seal Installer SA9113T inspect tool for any nicks or burrs that may damage seal lip.

3. Install the axle seal using the SA91113T . Place the seal on the tool and insert into the transaxle. Make sure to keep the seal lined up with the bore during installation. (Right side shown, left side similar.)




Notice: Use care when removing end cover as the tubes can bend easily.

4. Install the SA91112T inside the seal.
5. Install the axle into the transaxle.
6. After the shaft splines clear the seal but before snapping the axle into place, remove the seal protector tool.
7. Push the axle all the way into the transaxle.




Notice: Take care not to damage rubber boot when installing ball joint to knuckle.

8. Insert the lower control arm ball stud into the steering knuckle.
9. Install the lower control arm ball stud retaining bolt and nut.

Tighten
Tighten the lower control arm ball stud bolt and nut-to-steering knuckle to 100 N·m (74 lb ft).





Important: The tie rod ends must be thoroughly cleaned before installing and tightening.

10. Install the tie rod end into the steering knuckle.
11. Using the J 44015 , seat the tie rod end into the steering knuckle.

Tighten
Tighten the linkage installer-to-seat tie rod ends to 45 N·m (33 lb ft).

Important: Use a new nut. Torque retention of the old nut may not be sufficient.

12. Remove the linkage installer and install a new tie rod end nut.

Tighten
Tighten the tie rod end-to-steering knuckle to 60 N·m (44 lb ft).




13. Clean and apply thread sealant P/N 21485278 to the transaxle drain plug (1) and install.

Tighten
Tighten the transaxle drain plug to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

14. Remove the transaxle level plug (2) and, using a funnel with a flexible spout or a quart bottle hand pump, add manual transaxle lubricant P/N 21018899 until the fluid begins to flow out of the level plug opening.
15. Clean and apply thread sealant P/N 21485278 to the transaxle level plug (2) and install.

Tighten
Tighten the transaxle level plug to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

Notice: Refer to Wheel Installation Caution in the Preface section.

16. Position the wheel onto the hub.
17. Install the wheel bolts and tighten in a star pattern.

17.1.

Hand tighten all 5 wheel bolts.

17.2.

Use a torque wrench to tighten the wheel bolts using a star pattern.

Tighten
Initial tighten the wheel bolts to 63 N·m (46 lb ft).

17.3.

Use a torque wrench to final tighten wheel bolts using a star pattern.

Tighten
Final tighten the wheel bolt to 125 N·m (92 lb ft).

18. Lower the vehicle from the hoist.